Brownsville TX vs Stockton CA — 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Stockton
33.7
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Stockton
25.9%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Stockton
45.2%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.7 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 25.9% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 26.6% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 45.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $31,279 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.0% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 19.1% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $431,297 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 53.2% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Stockton
15.0%
Stockton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.5% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.1% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 15.0% | Stockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.8% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 62.2°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 33.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, 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 503 in Stockton. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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