Brownsville TX vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Reno
16.1%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 37.3 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 16.1% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 0.3% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 24.6% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $570,934 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 49.4% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.5% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.9% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.3 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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