Brownsville TX vs West Covina CA — 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
West Covina
4.1%
West Covina +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
West Covina
53.2%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 107,436 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 40.1 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 45.5% | 20.0% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 4.1% | West Covina + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 53.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.2% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $851,613 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Covina, CA | 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
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 36.1 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, 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 503 in West Covina. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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