Brownsville TX vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 34.8 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 19.0% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 0.3% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 41.8% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $411,323 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 57.1% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Phoenix
72.1°F
Phoenix +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 72.1°F | Phoenix + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 27.7 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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