Brownsville TX vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Syracuse
31.9
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 146,211 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 31.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 12.1% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 0.3% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 10.3% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Brownsville +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Syracuse
$27,570
Syracuse +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Brownsville +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $45,845 | Brownsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $27,570 | Syracuse + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.4% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 29.6% | Brownsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $215,134 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 41.3% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 41.5% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.1% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 41.5 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brownsville leads in median household income at $48,675, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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