Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
Milwaukee, WI
🏆 Brownsville leads 16 of 23 categories
Brownsville
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,735
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
186,999
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.5
Median Household Income
$49,733 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
377⚠ High
Population
573,299 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
68% less violent crime than Milwaukee
Homes cost $45k less ($112,600 vs $157,800)
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 30°F
Rent averages $110/mo less ($872 vs $982)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Milwaukee
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.2)
Cons
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Milwaukee by $2,998/yr
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
More college-educated — 26.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 92°F
Households earn $2,998 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (1430.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2700.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Brownsville
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 95.5 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Violent Crime
68% lower
456.0 vs 1430.9 per 100k
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$45k less
$112,600 vs $157,800
Brownsville
Summer Heat
9.1°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 82.8°F
Milwaukee
Median Income
$2,998
$49,733 vs $46,735/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 95.5 |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $157,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $982 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $49,733 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter | 22.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 9.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 277⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 377⚠ 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) ✓ Better | C (82) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 26.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 85.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | Milwaukee School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 29.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer | 82.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" ✓ Drier | 33.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 39.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 | 573,299 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 31.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 41.2% |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 25.7% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs Milwaukee's 95.5 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Brownsville leads 16 of 23 categories. Brownsville wins 16 and Milwaukee wins 7. 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 Milwaukee or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $157,800 median home), income ($46,735 vs $49,733), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and Milwaukee, WI are about 1,295 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.