Brownsville, TX, known as "The City with a Historic Past," offers a rich cultural heritage and vibrant community life. Located in the southern tip of Texas along the Rio Grande, Brownsville is approximately 70 miles southeast of McAllen and 25 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. This medium-sized city is known for its beautiful landscapes and historical significance.
Brownsville's climate features hot, humid summers and mild winters, providing ideal conditions for year-round outdoor activities. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, including the scenic Gladys Porter Zoo and the expansive Resaca de la Palma State Park, which offer trails, gardens, and opportunities for bird watching and wildlife observation.
The cultural scene in Brownsville is vibrant, with attractions like the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, the Historic Brownsville Museum, and the Camille Lightner Playhouse. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Charro Days Fiesta and the Sombrero Festival, celebrating the city's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a priority in Brownsville, with institutions like the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley providing higher education opportunities. The city's public and private schools are highly regarded, making Brownsville an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as the Valley Baptist Medical Center, also supports a strong job market.
Living in Brownsville combines the benefits of a vibrant cultural scene with a high quality of life. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system and well-maintained infrastructure make commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its historical richness, cultural vibrancy, and welcoming atmosphere, Brownsville offers a dynamic and fulfilling living experience.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Employment
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Brownsville, Texas is a medium-sized city with a population of 189,413 people. At 85%, the majority of the Brownsville population is White; this is followed by 1% Asian and 0% Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Brownsville are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 85% of the population also speak Spanish. The median age of all Brownsville residents is 31, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Brownsville offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Brownsville, Texas. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Brownsville and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, health & safety, education, housing and other important metrics.
With a livability score of 79/100, Brownsville is ranked #1,824 in the United States and #50 in Texas. Compared to the national average, Brownsville ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Brownsville has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. Based on the scores for each individual category, Brownsville has been rewarded with high marks for housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Brownsville. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (D) and employment (D-).
The impact of the cost of living on your monthly financial situation cannot be overstated. Whether it's housing expenses, grocery bills or healthcare costs, it's crucial to ensure that your chosen place of residence is not only comfortable but also affordable. Fortunately, in Brownsville, the cost of living is 20.86% below the national average, offering the assurance that after meeting your financial obligations, there may be a surplus left in your wallet. This financial advantage not only promotes financial stability but also opens up opportunities for savings and a better quality of life. In a world where expenses can be overwhelming, Brownsville stands out as a place where you can enjoy both comfort and fiscal responsibility, ensuring a brighter financial future.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Brownsville apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Brownsville is actually affordable. The median home price for Brownsville homes is $170,443, which is 33.6% lower than the Texas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Brownsville, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 9.4% lower than the Texas average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Brownsville | Texas | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.8% | 80.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.6% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.9% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.5% | 1.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.6% | 4.3% | 4.6% |
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