City Comparison
Brownsville vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brownsville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brownsville
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Brownsville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brownsville's average rent is
19% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Brownsville | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,412 | -19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $281 | -40% |
| Transport | $110 | $126 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $135 | +56% |
| Monthly Total | $2,020 | $2,404 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brownsville is estimated at
$42,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Brownsville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $45,500 | $70,518 |
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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| 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
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brownsville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Brownsville.
From a growth perspective, Brownsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dallas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brownsville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,424 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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