Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
San Angelo, TX
🏆 San Angelo leads 14 of 23 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
San Angelo
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9
Median Household Income
$65,040 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
57 ✓ Safer
Population
99,422
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $59k less ($112,600 vs $171,700)
Rent averages $165/mo less ($872 vs $1,037)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.2)
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 61°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 92°F vs 97°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than San Angelo
Cons
Median income trails San Angelo by $18,305/yr
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 3.2%)
San Angelo, TX
Pros
52% less violent crime than Brownsville
Households earn $18,305 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (3.2%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (218.2 vs 380/100k)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
More college-educated — 24.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Property crime (2486.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Brownsville
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 90.9 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$59k less
$112,600 vs $171,700
San Angelo
Median Income
$18,305
$65,040 vs $46,735/yr
San Angelo
Violent Crime
52% lower
218.2 vs 456.0 per 100k
San Angelo
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
3.2% vs 6.3% unemployment
San Angelo
Summer Heat
5.5°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 91.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | San Angelo, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 90.9 |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $171,700 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $1,037 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $65,040 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High | 3.2% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min | 17.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 7.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High | 82 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High | 57 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 118⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | C+ (87) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 24.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 86.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | SAN ANGELO ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 61.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" | 22.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 1.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 ✓ Larger | 99,422 |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 64.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs San Angelo's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Angelo leads 14 of 23 categories. Brownsville wins 9 and San Angelo wins 14. 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 San Angelo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $171,700 median home), income ($46,735 vs $65,040), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and San Angelo, TX are about 418 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.