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Moving Guides/Brownsville-Harlingen

Moving to Brownsville-Harlingen

What you need to know before relocating to Brownsville-Harlingen, Texas. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.

Is Brownsville-Harlingen a Good Place to Live?

Brownsville-Harlingen presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: median household income ($52,210) trails the national median; unemployment rate (5.3%) is above the national average.

Brownsville-Harlingen at a Glance

Population
427K
Median Income
$52,210
Median Rent
$904/mo
Median Home Price
$154,200
Unemployment
5.3%
Avg Commute
165141 min

Cost of Living in Brownsville-Harlingen

The median rent in Brownsville-Harlingen is $904/month, while the median home value is $154,200. With a median household income of $52,210, residents spend roughly 21% of monthly income on rent.

Overall, the Brownsville-Harlingen metro area is classified as very affordable compared to other US metros.

Rent vs. National Avg
35% below
Home Price vs. National Avg
49% below

Job Market

Brownsville-Harlingen has a median household income of $52,210, which is 30% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 5.3%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.

Safety in Brownsville-Harlingen

The violent crime rate in Brownsville-Harlingen is 406 per 100,000 residents, which is 7% above the national average of 380.

Property crime rate: 2238 per 100,000 residents.

Education in Texas

Texas has a high school graduation rate of 86% and per-pupil spending of $14,257/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1.

33% of Texas adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Healthcare Access

Texas has 232 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 16.7% uninsured rate, and 2.2 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Texas is 77.3 years.

Pros and Cons of Living in Brownsville-Harlingen

+Pros

  • Rent ($904/mo) is below the national average
  • Home prices ($154,200) are well below the US median

-Cons

  • Median household income ($52,210) trails the national median
  • Unemployment rate (5.3%) is above the national average
  • Longer-than-average commute (165141 min)
  • High uninsured rate (16.7%)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brownsville-Harlingen a good place to live?

Brownsville-Harlingen has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh median household income ($52,210) trails the national median and unemployment rate (5.3%) is above the national average against other lifestyle factors.

What is the cost of living in Brownsville-Harlingen?

The median rent in Brownsville-Harlingen is $904/month and the median home value is $154,200. The median household income is $52,210. Overall the metro is considered very affordable.

Is Brownsville-Harlingen safe?

Brownsville-Harlingen has a violent crime rate of 406 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

What is the job market like in Brownsville-Harlingen?

Brownsville-Harlingen has an unemployment rate of 5.3%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $52,210.

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