Living in Brownsville, Texas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Brownsville · Census data 2020–2024
Brownsville has 189,177 residents with a median age of 31.2. The median household income is $52,130 (34% lower than the Texas median), the median home value is $139,900, the median rent is $923/month.
Brownsville at a glance
- Population
- 189,177
- Median age
- 31.2State: 35.6
- Median household income
- $52,130State: $78,476
- Median home value
- $139,900State: $283,800
- Median rent
- $923/moState: $1,403
- Homeowners
- 61.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.5%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Brownsville a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 34% lower than the Texas median; unemployment of 6.2%; a poverty rate of 23.7%.
The weather is best in December to March.
Cost of living in Brownsville
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Brownsville the median home value is $139,900, 58% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $923 per month, which is 29.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,497 a month in housing costs.
Brownsville median household income
The median household income in Brownsville is $52,130 and the income per person is $22,512. 23.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Texas: 13.8%).
Housing in Brownsville: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 64,878
- Owner-occupied
- 61.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 38.3%
- Vacant
- 7.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1995
- Average household size
- 3.13
Brownsville demographics
- Population
- 189,177
- Median age
- 31.2
- Under 18
- 28.4%
- 65 and older
- 13%
- Households
- 59,839
- Foreign-born
- 27.5%
- Veterans
- 2.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Brownsville ›
Education in Brownsville
24.5% of adults 25 and older in Brownsville have a bachelor's degree or higher (Texas: 33.8%), and 7.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Brownsville
- Unemployment rate
- 6.2%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 8.4%
- Drive alone
- 74.9%
- Public transit
- 0.7%
- Walk to work
- 1.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.1%
Brownsville vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville | 189,177 | $52,130 | $139,900 | $923 |
| Cameron Park | 5,955 | $36,089 | $74,800 | $760 |
| Rancho Viejo | 2,849 | $90,714 | $264,500 | $1,392 |
| Los Fresnos | 8,291 | $61,938 | $152,200 | $989 |
| Chula Vista | 284 | $19,628 | — | — |
| Indian Lake | 962 | $25,982 | $65,400 | $1,036 |
| Villa Pancho | 294 | $49,432 | — | — |
| Laureles | 4,224 | $34,771 | $152,400 | $873 |
| Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz | 2,552 | $45,505 | $68,800 | — |
More for people moving to Brownsville
Brownsville ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Brownsville: FAQ
What is the median household income in Brownsville, TX?
The median household income in Brownsville is $52,130, 34% lower than the Texas median of $78,476 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Brownsville?
The median home value in Brownsville is $139,900, compared with $283,800 in Texas.
How much is rent in Brownsville?
The median gross rent in Brownsville is $923 per month, about 29.2% of household income.
Is Brownsville, TX a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 34% lower than the Texas median; unemployment of 6.2%; a poverty rate of 23.7%.
What is the median age in Brownsville?
The median age in Brownsville is 31.2 years (Texas: 35.6).
How long is the commute in Brownsville?
The average commute to work in Brownsville is 21 minutes; 8.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Brownsville?
The unemployment rate in Brownsville is 6.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Brownsville?
24.5% of adults in Brownsville have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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