Brownsville TX vs Pomona CA — 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%
Pomona, CA
California · Population: 148,391
- Median HH Income$78,869
- Median Home Price$689,570
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+19.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pomona
148,391
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Pomona
5.3%
Pomona +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Pomona
71.5%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 148,391 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.4 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 45.5% | 22.7% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 5.3% | Pomona + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 71.5% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Pomona
$28,131
Pomona +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $28,131 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.3% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 19.5% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Pomona
54.6%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $689,570 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 54.6% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Pomona
13.0%
Pomona +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Pomona
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Pomona
17.4%
Pomona +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Pomona
15.5%
Pomona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.0% | Pomona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 17.4% | Pomona + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.5% | Pomona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Pomona
65.0°F
Pomona +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 65.0°F | Pomona + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pomona + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 34.5 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, 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 503 in Pomona. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Pomona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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