City Comparison
Brownsville vs San Antonio
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brownsville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brownsville
San Antonio
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Brownsville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in San Antonio.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brownsville's average rent is
36% lower than San Antonio's.
| Metric | Brownsville | San Antonio | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,805 | -36% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $2,020 | $2,755 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Antonio offers 37% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Antonio delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brownsville is estimated at
$42,000 vs $85,000 in San Antonio.
| Metric | Brownsville | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 83,516 idx |
| Household Income | $45,500 | $66,176 |
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 | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Brownsville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to San Antonio.
San Antonio 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 | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 72.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 37.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Antonio is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Brownsville.
From a growth perspective, San Antonio is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brownsville | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,424 | 1,572,360 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 1.55% |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 34.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
San Antonio
Advantages
San Antonio's cost of living is approximately 9% lower than the national average, making it an affordable major U.S. city.
The city has demonstrated strong job growth, projected to lead Texas in 2025 and ranking as the third-fastest-growing major job market in 2024.
San Antonio's population continues to grow, with an estimated 1.55% annual increase, driven by both domestic and international migration.
Public transportation, particularly VIA Metropolitan Transit, received the highest customer satisfaction rating in the U.S. for transit agencies in 2024.
Overall crime in San Antonio fell by more than 13% in 2025, with significant drops in both violent and property crimes.
Drawbacks
The median household income in San Antonio, at $66,176 in 2024, remains below the national average.
Healthcare costs in San Antonio are slightly higher than the national average.
Despite a highly-rated public transit system, San Antonio is largely car-dependent with a low overall walkability score for much of the city.
The San Antonio housing market experienced a slight decline in median home prices by 2.6% year-over-year as of May 2026.
Traffic congestion is a concern, with San Antonio ranking as the 25th most congested city in the U.S. in 2025.
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
San Antonio
#539Texas, USA
49.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,805
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
72.0/100
Walkability
37.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.55%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
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