Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
Fort Worth, TX
🏆 Brownsville leads 13 of 22 categories
Brownsville
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,735
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
186,999
Fort Worth
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$72,726 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
924,663 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $138k less ($112,600 vs $250,300)
Rent averages $441/mo less ($872 vs $1,313)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Fort Worth
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.2)
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 59°F
Cons
Median income trails Fort Worth by $25,991/yr
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 5.3%)
Fort Worth, TX
Pros
Households earn $25,991 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (5.3%)
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (458.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Brownsville
Property crime (2699.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$138k less
$112,600 vs $250,300
Fort Worth
Median Income
$25,991
$72,726 vs $46,735/yr
Fort Worth
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
5.3% vs 6.3% unemployment
Fort Worth
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 96.6°F vs 91.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Worth, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $250,300 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $1,313 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $72,726 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter | 27.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 10.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 121⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 84.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | FORT WORTH ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 58.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F | 96.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" ✓ Drier | 35.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 2.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 | 924,663 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 56.7% |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 26.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 10.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs Fort Worth's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Brownsville leads 13 of 22 categories. Brownsville wins 13 and Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $250,300 median home), income ($46,735 vs $72,726), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and Fort Worth, TX are about 469 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.