Brownsville TX vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Scottsdale
2.0%
Scottsdale +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 49.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 11.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 0.3% | 2.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 9.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $858,307 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Scottsdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 72.5°F | Scottsdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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