Very AffordableNear National AverageBROWNSVILLE ISD
Emory-Brownsville · William H. Emory, (Archival Photograph by Mr. Sean Linehan, NOS, NGS) / Public domainNebel Mexican War 01 Battle of Palo Alto (cropped) · Adolphe Jean-Baptiste Bayot / Carl Nebel / Public domainPalmito Ranch Battlefield Texas · American Battlefield Protection Program / Public domain2009 ISS Brownsville, Texas · NASA / Public domain
Brownsville is a mid-sized city of 186,999 in Texas, with a median household income of $46,735
and a 6.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100), which is
15% below the national average.
Strengths:
Brownsville stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Brownsville is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Brownsville city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 85.2
Brownsville's overall cost of living index is 85.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Brownsville costs roughly 15% less than the average American city.
Metric
Brownsville, TX
National Avg
Median Home Value
$112,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$872
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
60.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$46,735
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Brownsville's violent crime rate is 456.0 per 100,000 residents
— 20% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
456.0 /100k
Property Crime
1941.7 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Brownsville is served primarily by BROWNSVILLE ISD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.9:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Brownsville, TX
National Avg
School District
BROWNSVILLE ISD
—
Elementary Schools
31
—
Middle Schools
10
—
High Schools
9
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
20.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
69.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Brownsville sees average highs of 70.4°F in January
and 91.9°F in July,
with 28.7 inches of annual precipitation
.
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Brownsville roughly 15% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $112,600 and median rent is $872/month.
Brownsville's violent crime rate is 456.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1941.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Brownsville are operated by BROWNSVILLE ISD.
The district has 31 elementary, 10 middle, and 9 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.9:1. 20.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Brownsville, TX has a population of 186,999, a median household income of $46,735, and an unemployment rate of 6.3%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Brownsville averages 70.4°F in January and 91.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 28.7 inches
.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Brownsville, TX is covered by 6 ZIP codes: 78526, 78521, 78520, 78578, 78566, 78575.
The population of Brownsville, Texas is 186,999 with a median age of 30.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Brownsville: cost of living index 85 (100 = US average), median home $112,600, median household income $46,735, crime index 109 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Brownsville side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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