Brownsville TX vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Orem
10.5%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Orem
1.9%
Orem +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Orem
1.6%
Orem +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 86,973 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.3 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 10.5% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 0.3% | 1.9% | Orem + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.6% | Orem + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 30.6% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Orem
25.6%
Orem +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 25.6% | Orem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $509,396 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.1% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.5 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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