Brownsville TX vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Sandy
0.8%
Sandy +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 94,723 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 36.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 10.3% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 0.3% | 0.8% | Sandy + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 11.3% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $672,082 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.6 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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