Brownsville TX vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 107,699 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 4.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 0.3% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 5.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Brownsville +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $48,536 | Brownsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.0% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $231,461 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 45.1% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 42.6% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 21.3% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.7% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 55.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
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, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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