Brownsville TX vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Waco
9.8%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 141,925 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 9.8% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 0.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 29.9% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 48.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.1% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 36.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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