Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
Rochester, MN
🏆 Rochester leads 13 of 22 categories
Brownsville
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,735
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High
Population
186,999 ✓ Larger
Rochester
Minnesota
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.1
Median Household Income
$83,973 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
120,848
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $156k less ($112,600 vs $268,800)
Rent averages $346/mo less ($872 vs $1,218)
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 23°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.2)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Rochester
Cons
Median income trails Rochester by $37,238/yr
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 3.7%)
Rochester, MN
Pros
Households earn $37,238 more per year on average
66% less violent crime than Brownsville
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (3.7%)
More college-educated — 49.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (154.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Brownsville
Snowy winters — about 52" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 93.1 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$156k less
$112,600 vs $268,800
Brownsville
Summer Heat
11.6°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 80.3°F
Rochester
Median Income
$37,238
$83,973 vs $46,735/yr
Rochester
Violent Crime
66% lower
154.0 vs 456.0 per 100k
Rochester
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Rochester, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 93.1 |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $268,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $1,218 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $83,973 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High | 3.7% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 10.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High | 50 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | A- (116) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 49.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 94.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | Rochester Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 22.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" ✓ Drier | 37.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 52.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 ✓ Larger | 120,848 |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 36.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 65.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 15.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs Rochester's 93.1 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Rochester leads 13 of 22 categories. Brownsville wins 9 and Rochester wins 13. 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 Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $268,800 median home), income ($46,735 vs $83,973), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and Rochester, MN are about 1,276 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.