Brownsville TX vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 147,649 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 37.5 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 12.3% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 0.3% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 20.6% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.6% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 53.8% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 44.7% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.0% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.1% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 36.2 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.7 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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