Brownsville TX vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Spokane
2.7%
Spokane +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 37.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 6.1% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 0.3% | 2.7% | Spokane + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 7.8% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $400,636 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 58.3% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.6% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.5% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.6 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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