Brownsville TX vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 91,535 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 42.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 23.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 0.3% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 16.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $865,610 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 28.8% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Santa Ana
20.7%
Santa Ana +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 20.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Santa Ana +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 65.6°F | Santa Ana + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 28.0 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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