Brownsville TX vs Pearland 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%
Pearland, TX
Texas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$382,066
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Pearland
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Pearland
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Pearland
N/A
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Pearland
N/A
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Pearland
N/A
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Pearland
N/A
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Pearland
N/A
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Pearland
N/A
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pearland, TX | 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
Pearland
N/A
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Pearland
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Pearland
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Pearland
N/A
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Pearland
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pearland, TX | 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 | $63,758 | Tie |
| 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 +
Pearland
$382,066
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $382,066 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Pearland
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Pearland
2339
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pearland, 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%
Pearland
33.4%
Pearland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Pearland
10.9%
Pearland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Pearland
14.8%
Pearland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Pearland
12.4%
Pearland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Pearland
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Pearland
9.6%
Pearland +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 33.4% | Pearland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 10.9% | Pearland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 14.8% | Pearland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 12.4% | Pearland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.6% | Pearland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Pearland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pearland, TX | 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
Pearland
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Pearland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pearland, 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
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pearland, TX | 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, Pearland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Pearland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pearland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
Compare More Cities
Brownsville, TX vs New York, NYBrownsville, TX vs Los Angeles, CABrownsville, TX vs Chicago, ILBrownsville, TX vs Houston, TXBrownsville, TX vs Phoenix, AZBrownsville, TX vs Philadelphia, PA