Brownsville TX vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 34.8 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 45.5% | 16.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 37.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Brownsville +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Newark
$25,509
Newark +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $48,416 | Brownsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $25,509 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 10.9% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 24.7% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 17.4% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $482,675 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 24.1% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Newark
23.4%
Newark +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.0% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 23.4% | Newark + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.2% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 46.3 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 35.9 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brownsville leads in median household income at $48,675, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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