Brownsville: A Livable and Lovable City People Want to Move To

The Brownsville-Harlingen metro area has been ranked No. 5 in the nation for inbound moves in the 2024 United Van Lines National Movers Study.

According to this annual study – which tracks moving patterns across the country – nearly 79% of all moves involving Brownsville-Harlingen in 2024 were inbound, meaning far more people moved to the area than left. This high inbound rate places Brownsville among the most attractive places to relocate in the United States, and it stands as the top Texas city on the list. For local residents and leaders, the ranking is a proud confirmation of something they have long felt: Brownsville is a community on the rise!

A Top Inbound City Nationwide

To put Brownsville’s achievement in perspective, the United Van Lines study shows only a handful of U.S. metropolitan areas had inbound move rates higher than Brownsville’s 79%​. Topping the list at No. 1 was Wilmington, NC (83% inbound), followed by Springfield, MO (81%), Myrtle Beach, SC (80%), and Flagstaff, AZ (79%), then Brownsville-Harlingen, TX (78.7%) at fifth. This means Brownsville attracted almost four inbound moves for every one outbound move – a remarkable ratio. United Van Lines classifies any city with over 55% inbound moves as “high inbound,” so Brownsville’s nearly 79% proves that there’s something that is attracting people to the area.

What’s driving this influx? The study’s findings align with a broader trend: Americans are relocating from major metropolitan areas to smaller, “livable” cities that offer a high quality of life without the hefty price tag​.

Affordability, Opportunity, and Community Appeal

Brownsville Wellness Coalition's Farmers Market a Saturday at Linear Park

One key factor behind Brownsville’s popularity is its affordability. Unlike big cities where the cost of living can be prohibitive, Brownsville offers a comfortable lifestyle at a lower cost. In fact, the cost of living in Brownsville is roughly 15% lower than the national average​.

Housing is especially affordable – local housing expenses are about 30% lower than the U.S. average​, making it easier for families and retirees to buy a home. It’s no surprise that Brownsville has been recognized in various rankings for its value: the city was recently named one of the top 3 most affordable areas for “empty nesters” and No. 4 among the best affordable places to retire in the U.S.​

For many newcomers, the chance to enjoy warm weather and rich South Texas culture without breaking the bank is a significant draw. 

Economic opportunity is another magnet. Brownsville’s economy has been gaining momentum with new investments and job growth in multiple sectors. The city’s unique binational location – at the crossroads of U.S.-Mexico trade – and its transportation assets (international port, airport, and even a spaceport with SpaceX operations) have spurred growth in logistics, manufacturing, and the burgeoning aerospace industry. Just in the past couple of years, Brownsville saw the opening of a new DHR hospital (the city’s third major medical facility) and a $124 million expansion of a food manufacturing plant​, bringing more high-paying jobs to the area.

Traditional Charro Day's Parade at Downtown Brownsville. Picture courtesy of VisitBTX.

The city’s rich cultural heritage – a blend of Texan and Mexican traditions – and a friendly, tight-knit community create an inviting atmosphere that many people find appealing after living in larger cities. New residents often comment on how welcoming Brownsville is. Neighbors take the time to know each other, and local festivals and markets, including the nearly century-old Charro Day festivities, unite the community. There is a shared pride in the city’s progress and growth.

Brownsville’s lifestyle and leisure options have also expanded, enhancing its community appeal. Residents enjoy proximity to nature and recreation that rivals any region in Texas. The city is situated by the Gulf coast and is a short drive from South Padre Island’s beaches, while also being at the gateway to the Rio Grande Valley’s wildlife and birding centers. Within the city itself, there’s been a concerted effort to improve parks, trails, and public spaces – ensuring that as Brownsville grows, it remains a great place to live for people of all ages.

Investing in Parks, Trails, and Quality of Life

Local leaders attribute much of Brownsville’s success to deliberate investments in quality-of-life improvements. Over the past few years, the City of Brownsville and the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) have worked hand-in-hand to expand and enhance the city’s parks, green spaces, and recreational amenities. Brownsville has over 40 parks and open spaces and nearly 38 miles of hike-and-bike trails, giving families ample room to play and residents safe, scenic routes to walk, run, or cycle​.

For context, just a few years ago, Brownsville had 34 parks and about 32 miles of trails​ – so the city’s recreational footprint is growing steadily.

Recent projects underscore this commitment to a healthier, more enjoyable city. In the current fiscal year, $2.9 million was allocated to six new quality-of-life initiatives in a joint effort by BCIC and the city​. These initiatives range from a Downtown Brownsville Master Plan (to revitalize the historic city center) to a comprehensive Parks Master Plan that will guide park upgrades for years to come​.

On the ground, residents are already seeing results: popular parks like Oliveira Park and Gonzalez Park are getting eco-friendly lighting upgrades​, new accessible playgrounds and restroom facilities are being added​, and even a “Tiny Forest” of 150 native trees is being planted alongside a trail to boost urban green space and shade​.

These improvements make daily life more pleasant – whether it’s grandparents taking their grandchildren to a park with modern amenities or cyclists enjoying extended trails across town.

City officials emphasize that such projects are about shaping Brownsville’s future. “With over 40 parks… 38 miles of trails, a growing community, and the renaissance of our Downtown, the city will continue to need support to improve and grow for the betterment of future generations,” said Helen Ramirez, Brownsville’s City Manager, thanking BCIC for partnering in this effort​.

The message is clear: as Brownsville attracts new residents, it’s also working hard to expand the things that make people want to live here. From new bike lanes to community gardens, each project is a piece of a larger puzzle – one that paints Brownsville as a “livable and lovable” city where quality of life is front and center​.

Nurturing Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship

Another pillar of Brownsville’s positive trajectory is its support for small businesses and startups. The influx of new residents isn’t just homeowners and retirees – it also includes entrepreneurs and professionals bringing fresh energy and ideas. Brownsville has cultivated a reputation as a place where small businesses can thrive, thanks in part to proactive support from organizations like BCIC and partnerships with educational institutions

A prime example is the eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization, a state-of-the-art business incubator in downtown Brownsville. This center, launched through a collaboration between BCIC and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, provides local entrepreneurs with resources like mentorship, training, access to funding, and workspace to help turn innovative ideas into successful companies​. The goal is to build an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Brownsville – ensuring that homegrown businesses create jobs and add unique local flavor to the economy​.

BCIC has launched initiatives like the StartUp Texas accelerator and small business grants to support new enterprises. These efforts have resulted in tangible success stories within the community. Pluton Brewery, one of the first winners of the StartUp Texas pitch competition, is now situated in Historic Downtown Brownsville. It utilized BCIC’s BIG Grant to revitalize an underused historic building, giving it new life and purpose.

Warbler Coffee at Historic Downtown Brownsville

If you stop by Warbler Coffee at any time, you’re likely to see a familiar face. Located on East Monroe Street in downtown, Warbler Coffee Co. is a stylish café that recently celebrated its one-year anniversary in a historic brick-and-mortar building. This café elegantly blends Brownsville’s history with a modern appeal. The founder, Omar Garza, received vital support from the BCIC’s eBridge Fund to restore the 100-year-old building and bring his dream of a business to life. As a result, Warbler has quickly become a local favorite, showcasing how a supportive environment can help small businesses thrive and enhance the city's charm.

Similar stories are unfolding across Brownsville: new restaurants, boutiques, and tech startups are planting roots here, confident that they’ll find both a customer base and a community that wants them to succeed. Each grand opening and ribbon-cutting boosts the economy and signals to prospective movers that Brownsville is a city of opportunity.

Newcomers Finding a Home in Brownsville

Behind the statistics of moving trucks and percentage rates are real people who have chosen to make Brownsville their new home. New residents often cite the city’s friendly community, slower pace of life, and cultural richness as reasons they quickly feel at home. Many are coming from fast-paced urban centers in search of a place where they can be part of a community and enjoy life’s simpler pleasures – and they’re finding that in Brownsville. It’s common to hear stories of families from California or the Northeast who marvel at how neighbors in Brownsville greet each other and how local shop owners learn customers’ names.

The community’s welcoming spirit eases the transition for those who’ve moved here, whether it’s a young professional drawn by a SpaceX engineering job or a retired couple seeking warm winters and a low cost of living. Local business owners have noticed an uptick in fresh faces too. Talk to the owner of a new restaurant downtown or a shop at the farmers market, and they’ll mention meeting people who “just moved here.” These new Brownsvillians are not only investing in homes; they’re investing their time and money in the community – joining neighborhood groups, volunteering, and patronizing local businesses. Their presence is contributing to a revitalized energy around town. 

Long-time residents often remark that Brownsville “feels different” in a good way: there’s more activity on the weekends, more out-of-state license plates spotted in parking lots, and a growing sense that the city is on an upward path.

A Proud Moment and a Promising Future

Brownsville’s high ranking in the national movers study is more than just a statistic – it’s a point of pride for the community. It reflects years of hard work by many stakeholders: city officials who pursued economic development projects, organizations like BCIC that invested in quality of life and entrepreneurship, and residents who have fostered a welcoming, positive atmosphere. The city leadership often emphasizes that Brownsville’s greatest strength is its people, and the influx of new residents suggests that more people are discovering that strength for themselves.

Of course, Brownsville shares this success with other mid-sized cities that are flourishing. The fact that places like Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, and Brownsville are topping inbound move lists shows a national shift toward communities that balance affordability, lifestyle, and opportunity. In that context, Brownsville is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with those cities – and perhaps even learn from each other’s successes. For instance, like those other cities, Brownsville is focusing on sustainable growth: ensuring infrastructure keeps up with population gains and that development remains community-driven.

As residents of Brownsville read the news of their city’s No. 5 ranking, many are celebrating how far the city has come. There’s a strong sense of local pride in seeing Brownsville recognized on a national stage for positive reasons. Long-time Brownsvillians who remember more challenging times note the contrast today – from new parks and businesses to an influx of new neighbors – and feel optimistic about the city’s direction.

In the end, Brownsville and BCIC’s message to both locals and those beyond the city is one of welcome and optimism. If you’re a former resident thinking of moving back, an entrepreneur looking for a supportive community, or a family seeking a safe, affordable city with plenty to do, Brownsville is making the case that it’s a great place to call home.

The United Van Lines study simply quantified what Brownsville’s community has been building over the years: a livable and lovable city that people want to move to.