Brownsville TX vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 102,866 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 8.9% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 0.3% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 17.3% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 58.8% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.3% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.2% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 38.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
Compare More Cities
Brownsville, TX vs New York, NYBrownsville, TX vs Los Angeles, CABrownsville, TX vs Chicago, ILBrownsville, TX vs Houston, TXBrownsville, TX vs Phoenix, AZBrownsville, TX vs Philadelphia, PA