Brownsville TX vs New Bedford MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 100,731 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 37.0 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 20.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 0.3% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.5% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 24.5% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.6% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 16.8% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $439,767 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 40.0% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 22.0% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 21.4% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 51.9 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 27.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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