Brownsville TX vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Salinas
32.1
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Salinas
1.4%
Salinas +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Salinas
80.3%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 161,993 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 32.1 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 45.5% | 21.8% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 1.4% | Salinas + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 80.3% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Salinas
$28,813
Salinas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $28,813 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 15.5% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $751,711 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 47.0% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Salinas
22.4%
Salinas +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.2% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 22.4% | Salinas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 28.8 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
Compare More Cities
Brownsville, TX vs New York, NYBrownsville, TX vs Los Angeles, CABrownsville, TX vs Chicago, ILBrownsville, TX vs Houston, TXBrownsville, TX vs Phoenix, AZBrownsville, TX vs Philadelphia, PA