Brownsville TX vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
San Antonio
64.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 34.6 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 14.3% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 0.3% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 64.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
San Antonio
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $251,035 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 52.4% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
San Antonio
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
San Antonio
2339
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
San Antonio
15.2%
San Antonio +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
San Antonio
24.5%
San Antonio +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 15.2% | San Antonio + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.2% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 24.5% | San Antonio + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
San Antonio
68.5°F
San Antonio +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 68.5°F | San Antonio + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 34.9 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.5 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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