Brownsville TX vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Paterson
N/A
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 45.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 0.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 0.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $527,542 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Paterson
16.1%
Paterson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Paterson
28.6%
Paterson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 16.1% | Paterson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.6% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 28.6% | Paterson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.4% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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