Brownsville TX vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Shreveport
1.5%
Shreveport +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 183,483 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 37.5 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 2.6% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 36.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.5% | Shreveport + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 3.9% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Brownsville +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Shreveport
23.6%
Shreveport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Shreveport
27.5%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $48,465 | Brownsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $33,788 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.9% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 23.6% | Shreveport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 27.5% | Shreveport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Shreveport
53.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 53.8% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Shreveport
17.6%
Shreveport +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 43.1% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 17.6% | Shreveport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.1% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 19.1% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 52.7 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brownsville leads in median household income at $48,675, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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