Brownsville TX vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 38.4 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 6.6% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 31.6% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 7.9% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.8% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $245,988 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 50.5% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 15.1% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.7% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.5% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 66.6 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.6 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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