Brownsville TX vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
New York
35.9%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 38.0 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 45.5% | 35.9% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 28.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.7% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $816,078 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 32.8% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.9% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 46.6 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 44.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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