Brownsville TX vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Riverside
33.1
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Riverside
54.6%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.1 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 22.4% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 39.2% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 54.6% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $648,603 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 56.3% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Riverside, 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%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.5% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 66.8°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 34.1 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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