Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Brownsville, TX
🏆 Abilene leads 15 of 23 categories
Abilene
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8
Median Household Income
$59,254 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
126,356
Brownsville
Texas
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,735
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High
Population
186,999 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (2.8%)
7% less violent crime than Brownsville
Households earn $12,519 more per year on average
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.8)
More college-educated — 26.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Brownsville
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $49k less ($112,600 vs $161,800)
Rent averages $188/mo less ($872 vs $1,060)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.2)
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 59°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Abilene
Cons
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Abilene by $12,519/yr
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 2.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Median Income
$12,519
$59,254 vs $46,735/yr
Abilene
Violent Crime
7% lower
424.5 vs 456.0 per 100k
Abilene
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
2.8% vs 6.3% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 91.9°F
Brownsville
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 89.8 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$49k less
$112,600 vs $161,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Brownsville, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 | $112,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 | $872 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 ✓ Higher | $46,735 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 6.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 20.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 109⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 120⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% ✓ Higher | 20.9% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 69.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | BROWNSVILLE ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 91.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 28.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 186,999 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 ✓ Older | 30.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% | 60.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% | 28.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Brownsville's 85.2 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Abilene leads 15 of 23 categories. Abilene wins 15 and Brownsville wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Abilene to Brownsville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $112,600 median home), income ($59,254 vs $46,735), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Brownsville, TX are about 467 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.