Brownsville TX vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Odessa
31.0
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Odessa
14.5%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Odessa
61.2%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 114,080 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 31.0 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 14.5% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 0.3% | 6.8% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 61.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Odessa
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 18.3% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Odessa
59.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $253,423 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 59.2% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Odessa
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Odessa
2339
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Odessa
25.4%
Odessa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 39.4% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.0% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 25.4% | Odessa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.1% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.0% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Odessa
65.6°F
Odessa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 65.6°F | Odessa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.7 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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