Brownsville TX vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Salem
12.2%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 176,666 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 12.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 0.3% | 1.6% | Salem + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 23.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $438,754 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 55.7% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 41.4% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 39.7 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.5 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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