Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
Portsmouth, VA
🏆 Brownsville leads 15 of 22 categories
Brownsville
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,735
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
186,999 ✓ Larger
Portsmouth
Virginia
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$57,154 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
198⚠ High
Population
97,384
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $101k less ($112,600 vs $213,300)
39% less violent crime than Portsmouth
Rent averages $353/mo less ($872 vs $1,225)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Portsmouth
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 49°F
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 Portsmouth by $10,419/yr
Portsmouth, VA
Pros
Households earn $10,419 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (752.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Brownsville
Property crime (3860.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Violent Crime
39% lower
456.0 vs 752.4 per 100k
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$101k less
$112,600 vs $213,300
Brownsville
Summer Heat
3.9°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 88.0°F
Portsmouth
Median Income
$10,419
$57,154 vs $46,735/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Portsmouth, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $213,300 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $1,225 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $57,154 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter | 23.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 192⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 198⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 184⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 13.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 21.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 89.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | Portsmouth City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 48.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer | 88.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" ✓ Drier | 50.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 ✓ Larger | 97,384 |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 56.1% |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 23.1% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 15.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs Portsmouth's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Brownsville leads 15 of 22 categories. Brownsville wins 15 and Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $213,300 median home), income ($46,735 vs $57,154), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and Portsmouth, VA are about 1,448 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.