City Comparison
Brownsville vs Houston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brownsville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brownsville
Houston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Brownsville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Houston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brownsville's average rent is
36% lower than Houston's.
| Metric | Brownsville | Houston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,800 | -36% |
| Groceries | $380 | $682 | -44% |
| Utilities | $170 | $253 | -33% |
| Transport | $110 | $348 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $141 | +49% |
| Monthly Total | $2,020 | $3,224 | -37% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 36% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brownsville is estimated at
$42,000 vs $69,000 in Houston.
| Metric | Brownsville | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $75,200 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $69,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 80,860 idx |
| Household Income | $45,500 | $97,458 |
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 | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Brownsville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Houston.
Brownsville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Houston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brownsville | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 180.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Brownsville.
From a growth perspective, Houston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Houston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brownsville | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,424 | 2,319,119 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 1.60% |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Houston
Advantages
The cost of living in Houston is 6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly major city.
Houston's job market is projected to add 75,000 new jobs in 2025, with strong growth in healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Violent crime rates in Houston saw significant declines between 2024 and 2025, with homicides dropping by 17%.
The city is a major hub for healthcare, home to the Texas Medical Center, offering high-quality medical services.
Houston exhibits a strong entrepreneurial climate, with a 92% rise in small business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Drawbacks
Houston's overall crime rate remains high compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime in 2024.
Summers in Houston are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, with average daily highs above 89°F from June to September.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, leading to a high car dependency and an average commute time of 28 minutes.
Houston's walkability and transit scores are relatively low, making it challenging to get around without a car.
While the metro area is growing, population growth within the city of Houston itself slowed significantly 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
Houston
#287Texas, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$75,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
36.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
68
Business
72
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