City Comparison
Brownsville vs Fort Worth
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Worth scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brownsville
Fort Worth
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Brownsville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Fort Worth.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brownsville's average rent is
25% lower than Fort Worth's.
| Metric | Brownsville | Fort Worth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,525 | -25% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $2,020 | $2,475 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fort Worth offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fort Worth delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brownsville is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,002 in Fort Worth.
| Metric | Brownsville | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,002 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 68,421 idx |
| Household Income | $45,500 | $79,507 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Brownsville runs warmer on average — a 76.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Brownsville comes out ahead with 261 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Brownsville sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brownsville | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 57.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | |
| Humidity | 74.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Brownsville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Fort Worth.
Brownsville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brownsville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brownsville | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Worth is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Brownsville.
From a growth perspective, Fort Worth is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brownsville | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,424 | 1,028,117 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 2.00% |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 33.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | $139.9B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brownsville
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Rapidly growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors driven by SpaceX operations in the region.
Abundant sunshine with an average of 261 sunny days per year and mild winter temperatures.
Rich cultural heritage, bilingual community, and close proximity to South Padre Island beaches and nature sanctuaries.
Expanding higher education and healthcare infrastructure anchored by UTRGV and regional medical centers.
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures are high and humid, requiring heavy reliance on air conditioning.
Average household incomes and wages trail state and national benchmarks.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited heavy rail or rapid transit options.
Vulnerability to severe weather events and tropical storms coming off the Gulf of Mexico.
Poverty rates remain above the national average despite recent economic diversification.
Fort Worth
Advantages
Fort Worth's population surpassed 1 million residents in 2024, making it the 11th most populous U.S. city and one of the fastest-growing in the nation.
The median household income in Fort Worth grew to $79,507 in 2024, a 3.79% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Fort Worth is generally lower than the national average, with reasonable utility and internet costs.
Fort Worth's job market is strong and growing, with significant expansion in professional and business services, financial activities, and trade, transportation, and utilities.
The city offers a rich cultural experience, blending its Western heritage with world-class museums and diverse entertainment options.
Drawbacks
Fort Worth is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options and a low transit access score.
Average commute times in Fort Worth are slightly longer than the U.S. average, and traffic congestion can be significant during peak hours.
While housing remains relatively affordable compared to some major cities, its affordability has started to wane due to rapid population growth.
The city's overall walkability score is low, making it challenging to accomplish most errands on foot outside of specific neighborhoods.
The growth rate in Tarrant County, which centers on Fort Worth, slowed in 2025 compared to previous years.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Brownsville
#229Texas, USA
62.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
76.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
72
Business
73
Fort Worth
#74Texas, USA
69.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,525
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.00%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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