Brownsville TX vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 125,273 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 41.3 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 15.1% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 0.3% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 19.7% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Palm Bay
22.6%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 22.6% | Palm Bay + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $304,173 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.6% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.5% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 29.6 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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