Brownsville TX vs West Palm Beach FL — 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 Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
West Palm Beach
27.2%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 119,508 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 40.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 44.0% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 24.6% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $399,650 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 50.2% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
West Palm Beach
16.9%
West Palm Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 16.9% | West Palm Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Brownsville +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 75.4°F | Brownsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 62.3 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 25.0 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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