Brownsville TX vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 32.4 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 7.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 44.0% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 9.9% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $310,519 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 45.7% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.1% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.7% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 50.8 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.4 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
Compare More Cities
Brownsville, TX vs New York, NYBrownsville, TX vs Los Angeles, CABrownsville, TX vs Chicago, ILBrownsville, TX vs Houston, TXBrownsville, TX vs Phoenix, AZBrownsville, TX vs Philadelphia, PA