Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
Salem, OR
🏆 Brownsville leads 15 of 23 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
Salem
Oregon
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,540 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
175,754
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $237k less ($112,600 vs $349,500)
Rent averages $352/mo less ($872 vs $1,224)
14% less violent crime than Salem
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Salem
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 48°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.2)
Cons
Median income trails Salem by $20,805/yr
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Salem, OR
Pros
Households earn $20,805 more per year on average
More college-educated — 31.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 92°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $349,500
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Brownsville
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 102.4 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Violent Crime
14% lower
456.0 vs 532.2 per 100k
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$237k less
$112,600 vs $349,500
Brownsville
Summer Heat
8.4°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 83.5°F
Salem
Median Income
$20,805
$67,540 vs $46,735/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 102.4⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $349,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $1,224 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $67,540 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter | 22.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 12.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 137⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 140⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 133⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | C+ (89) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 31.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 88.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | Salem-Keizer SD 24J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 48.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 1.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 ✓ Larger | 175,754 |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 54.9% |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 15.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs Salem's 102.4 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Brownsville leads 15 of 23 categories. Brownsville wins 15 and Salem wins 8. 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 Salem or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $349,500 median home), income ($46,735 vs $67,540), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and Salem, OR are about 1,929 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.