Brownsville TX vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 186,419 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 13.9% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 0.3% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 23.1% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $468,328 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 41.6% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.3% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Tempe
71.3°F
Tempe +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 71.3°F | Tempe + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 23.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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