Brownsville TX vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.6 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 19.0% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 0.3% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 26.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $376,530 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 50.2% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Tampa
73.4°F
Tampa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 73.4°F | Tampa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 46.3 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 26.8 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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