Brownsville TX vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.0 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 15.4% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 0.3% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 20.8% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $580,126 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 46.8% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.2% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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