Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
Des Moines, IA
🏆 It's a dead heat — 11 categories each
Brownsville
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,735
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
186,999
Des Moines
Iowa
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7
Median Household Income
$62,378 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $58k less ($112,600 vs $170,700)
35% less violent crime than Des Moines
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 31°F
Rent averages $123/mo less ($872 vs $995)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.2)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Des Moines
Cons
Median income trails Des Moines by $15,643/yr
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Households earn $15,643 more per year on average
More college-educated — 28.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 92°F
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Brownsville
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 92.7 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Violent Crime
35% lower
456.0 vs 703.0 per 100k
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$58k less
$112,600 vs $170,700
Brownsville
Summer Heat
6.3°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 85.6°F
Des Moines
Median Income
$15,643
$62,378 vs $46,735/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 92.7 |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $170,700 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $995 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $62,378 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 185⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 28.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 87.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | Des Moines Independent Comm School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 30.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer | 85.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" ✓ Drier | 36.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 36.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 | 213,164 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 60.3% |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 12.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs Des Moines's 92.7 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, It's a dead heat — 11 categories each. Brownsville wins 11 and Des Moines 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 Brownsville to Des Moines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $170,700 median home), income ($46,735 vs $62,378), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and Des Moines, IA are about 1,098 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.