Brownsville TX vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.5 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 18.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 0.3% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 9.1% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $297,021 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 53.2% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.1 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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