Brownsville TX vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 26,509 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 38.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 7.1% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 0.3% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 3.9% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $344,633 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 34.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 28.3 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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