Brownsville TX vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Peoria
33.1
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Peoria
1.6%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Peoria
37.0%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 11,626 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.1 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 12.6% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 0.3% | 4.7% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.6% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 37.0% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.1% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 38.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 34.4 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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