Brownsville TX vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 34.5 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 8.6% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 43.2% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 10.3% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $374,265 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 43.5% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.9% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 43.6 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.6 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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