Brownsville, Texas
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Brownsville.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Brownsville?
Brownsville, TX has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 54 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $122,400 and median rent about $906, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $48,675. Typical commute is 20 minutes; summer highs average 95°F. Violent-offense rates run about 420.8 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 54U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $122,400U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $906U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $48,675U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 7.0%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 420.8per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 95°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Brownsville compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 191,967City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $48,675Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year38% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 54ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year46% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $122,400City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year60% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $906City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year33% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 7.0%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 20262.8 pts above U.S. avgU.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3522% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 420.8annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)28% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2468.8annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)20% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 95°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 55°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals21.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 26.8 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals19% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 288As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals7% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Brownsville grew 9.5% from 175,362 in 2010 to 191,967 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Brownsville expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Brownsville runs 46 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 54 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $122,400 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $906 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Brownsville?
Budget first around $906/month rent or $122,400 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $122,400
- Median rent $906/month
- Median household income $48,675
What is the job market like in Brownsville?
Labor-market context for Brownsville: unemployment 7.0% and median income $48,675. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 7.0% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $48,675
How long is the typical commute in Brownsville?
Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way in Brownsville. Walk Score estimates around 35 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 35/100
Is Brownsville safer than similar U.S. cities?
Brownsville's FBI-derived violent rate (~420.8/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 420.8 per 100k
- Property 2468.8 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Brownsville?
Brownsville's climate profile: 95°F summer peaks, 55°F winter mornings, 26.8" annual rainfall, and 288 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 95°F
- Winter low 55°F
- 26.8 in rain · 288 sunny days
About 191,967 people live in Brownsville, TX. Median household income is roughly $48,675, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 54 — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs (100 ≈ U.S. average). Entry home prices around $122,400 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Brownsville is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Brownsville with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Hot summers, sprawling freeways, and no state income tax dominate comparisons. Roughly 288 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 35. Unemployment near 7.0% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. Violent-offense rates near 420.8 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Brownsville city, 1600000US4810768) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Cameron County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00012919 BROWNSVILLE) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10