Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brownsville, TX
VS
Vancouver, WA
🏆 Brownsville leads 14 of 23 categories
Brownsville
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,735
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
186,999
Vancouver
Washington
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,626 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
190,700 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brownsville, TX
Pros
Homes cost $291k less ($112,600 vs $403,400)
Rent averages $653/mo less ($872 vs $1,525)
22% less violent crime than Vancouver
21% cheaper overall cost of living than Vancouver
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 47°F
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Vancouver by $26,891/yr
Violent crime (456.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 5.6%)
Vancouver, WA
Pros
Households earn $26,891 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.6%)
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 92°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $403,400
Higher rents — median is $1,525/mo
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 21% higher than Brownsville
Key Differences at a Glance
Brownsville
Cost of Living
21% cheaper
COL index 85.2 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Brownsville
Violent Crime
22% lower
456.0 vs 582.3 per 100k
Brownsville
Median Home Value
$291k less
$112,600 vs $403,400
Brownsville
Summer Heat
11.0°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 80.9°F
Vancouver
Median Income
$26,891
$73,626 vs $46,735/yr
Vancouver
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Vancouver, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.2 ✓ Cheaper | 106.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $112,600 ✓ Lower | $403,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $872 ✓ Lower | $1,525⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,735 | $73,626 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter | 23.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 162⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B (97) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.9% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 69.1% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BROWNSVILLE ISD | Evergreen School District (Clark) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.4°F ✓ Warmer | 47.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer | 80.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.7" ✓ Drier | 44.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 4.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,999 | 190,700 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 50.9% |
| Under 18 | 28.9% ✓ More | 21.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brownsville's cost of living index is 85.2 vs Vancouver's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Brownsville is 21% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Brownsville leads 14 of 23 categories. Brownsville wins 14 and Vancouver wins 9. 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 Vancouver or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($112,600 vs $403,400 median home), income ($46,735 vs $73,626), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brownsville, TX and Vancouver, WA are about 1,940 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.