Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Brownsville, TX
🏆 Brownsville leads 11 of 21 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Brownsville
Texas
11
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.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
Households earn $31,811 more per year on average
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
34% less violent crime than Brownsville
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (3.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 92°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Brownsville
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $304k less ($112,600 vs $416,500)
Rent averages $600/mo less ($872 vs $1,472)
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 32°F
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Ann Arbor
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.2)
Cons
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $31,811/yr
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$31,811
$78,546 vs $46,735/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
34% lower
302.5 vs 456.0 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.3% unemployment
Brownsville
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$304k less
$112,600 vs $416,500
Brownsville
Summer Heat
7.9°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Brownsville, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $112,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $872 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $46,735 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 20.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 109⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 120⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 20.9% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 69.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | BROWNSVILLE ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" | 28.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 186,999 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 30.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 60.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 28.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 12.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Brownsville's 85.2 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Brownsville leads 11 of 21 categories. Ann Arbor wins 10 and Brownsville wins 11. 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 Ann Arbor to Brownsville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $112,600 median home), income ($78,546 vs $46,735), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Brownsville, TX are about 1,368 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.