Brownsville TX vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.1 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 14.6% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 36.1% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 15.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.4% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $233,814 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 52.3% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 48.5 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 34.5 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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