Brownsville TX vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 34.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 13.6% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 0.3% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 12.7% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $435,807 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 51.2% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 46.2 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.1 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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