Brownsville TX vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Springfield
47.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 154,751 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 10.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 40.8% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 47.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Springfield
$51,339
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Springfield
$27,054
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Brownsville +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $51,339 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $27,054 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.2% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 25.3% | Brownsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 19.7% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $298,985 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 49.5% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Springfield
14.8%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 14.8% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 21.1% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.5% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.6 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $51,339, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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