Brownsville TX vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 102,558 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.0 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 7.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 0.3% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 22.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 25.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 57.0% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Wichita Falls
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Wichita Falls
2339
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Wichita Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 16.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.8% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.9% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 28.9 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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