Brownsville TX vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 98,677 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 38.0 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 7.5% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 0.3% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 8.6% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $279,668 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 51.7% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 41.9% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 44.5 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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