Brownsville TX vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.5 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 9.3% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 0.3% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 4.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $240,538 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 47.2% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 39.3 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.0 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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