Brownsville TX vs Utica 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Utica
33.0
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Utica
9.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 51,054 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.0 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 9.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 0.3% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 9.8% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Utica
23.8%
Utica +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 9.4% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 23.8% | Utica + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Utica
$205,924
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $205,924 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 36.8% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.7% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.7 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Utica 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 Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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