Brownsville TX vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.5 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 11.9% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 0.3% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 19.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,929 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $220,279 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 52.0% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2375 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 41.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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