Brownsville TX vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Winston-Salem +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 118,578 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 37.5 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 5.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 0.3% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 8.9% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $265,013 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 46.8% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 42.7% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.4% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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