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

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 +

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%

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 +

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 +

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

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 +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min

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%.

Compare More Cities

About Brownsville & West Palm Beach