Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
Chicago, IL
🏆 Brownsville leads 14 of 23 categories
Brownsville
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,735
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
186,999
Chicago
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $192k less ($112,600 vs $304,500)
Rent averages $442/mo less ($872 vs $1,314)
16% less violent crime than Chicago
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (6.3%)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
Cons
Median income trails Chicago by $24,938/yr
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Chicago, IL
Pros
Households earn $24,938 more per year on average
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 92°F
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Brownsville
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 6.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Violent Crime
16% lower
456.0 vs 539.8 per 100k
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$192k less
$112,600 vs $304,500
Brownsville
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
6.3% vs 8.2% unemployment
Brownsville
Summer Heat
10.9°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 81.0°F
Chicago
Median Income
$24,938
$71,673 vs $46,735/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $304,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $1,314 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $71,673 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter | 34.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 15.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 151⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 142⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 165⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | A (118) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 42.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 86.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 31.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer | 81.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" ✓ Drier | 34.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 38.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 45.6% |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 13.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs Chicago's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Brownsville leads 14 of 23 categories. Brownsville wins 14 and Chicago wins 9. 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 Brownsville to Chicago or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $304,500 median home), income ($46,735 vs $71,673), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and Chicago, IL are about 1,227 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.