Brownsville, Texas

📍 👥 Pop. 186,999 🏠 ZIP 78520
72
/100
ReloCompare™
Median Income
$46,735
per household/year
Home Value
$112,600
median
Rent
$872
per month
Unemployment
4.3%
vs 3.7% national
Air Quality
31
Good
Internet
N/A
Mbps max • No fiber

📋 Living in Brownsville, TX — Overview

Very Affordable Mild Summers High Disaster Risk

Brownsville, Texas scores 72.8/100 on ReloCompare™, indicating a solid overall quality of life across key metrics. With 186,999 residents, it's a mid-size city that balances urban amenities with a more manageable pace of life. Housing is notably affordable here — the home price-to-income ratio of 2.4x is well below the national average, making homeownership realistic for many residents. Natural disaster risk is elevated — FEMA has declared 19 disasters here in the past 20 years. Insurance costs may reflect this risk.

⚠️ High disaster zone — 19 federal declarations in 20 years
💰 Exceptional value — top-tier affordability score

Score Breakdown

💰 Affordability
100
Home Value: $112,600
Rent: $872/mo
Electricity: ¢/kWh
💼 Job Market
45
Unemployment: 4.3%
Median Income: $46,735
Job Growth: % YoY
🌡️ Climate
50
Summer High: °F
Winter Low: °F
Sunny Days: /year
🌿 Environment
90
Air Quality: AQI 31 (Good)
Toxic Sites: 0 in area
Water: No violations ✓
🌐 Infrastructure
50
Internet: N/A Mbps
Fiber: Not available
Solar: kWh/m²/day
⚠️ Natural Risks
95
Disasters (20yr): 19
Flood Zone: None
Earthquake: Low
💰 Affordability Analysis: Brownsville stands out as highly affordable — the home price-to-income ratio of 2.4x is well below the national median of roughly 5x. Renters spend about 22% of household income on housing, leaving more room for savings and discretionary spending.
⚠️ Safety Analysis: With 19 federal disaster declarations in 20 years, natural disaster risk in Brownsville is elevated. Budget for comprehensive insurance and consider flood zone status. Hurricane risk is rated High.
🌿 Environment Analysis: Air quality in Brownsville is excellent with a current AQI of 31 — well within EPA's "Good" range, ideal for outdoor exercise and those with respiratory sensitivities.
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🎯 What Makes Brownsville Stand Out

Brownsville's strongest attributes are affordability and safety, where it outperforms many comparable cities. Areas where Brownsville faces challenges include job market — factors to weigh against its strengths when making your decision. Overall, Brownsville may be the best fit for budget-conscious families, safety-conscious retirees.


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