Brownsville TX vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%

Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma · Population: 688,693

  • Median HH Income$66,702
  • Median Home Price$207,961
  • Unemployment4.7%
  • Bachelor's+34.0%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Brownsville
188,023
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Oklahoma City
12.0%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Oklahoma City
59.1%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Oklahoma City
2375

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Oklahoma City
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Oklahoma City
14.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Oklahoma City
37.6 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min

Which City is Right for You?

Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Brownsville & Oklahoma City