78550 vs 78520 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 78550, Orange = ZIP 78520.
Quick verdict: ZIP 78550 is wealthier, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more diverse, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 78520 is higher home values, more affordable rent, more educated.
Quick Facts
ZIP 78550
Harlingen city, TX
View full profile →- Population54,169
- Median Income$51,524
- Median Home Value$121k
- Median Rent$698
- Median Age33.6 yrs
- Poverty Rate24.3%
ZIP 78520
Brownsville city, TX
View full profile →- Population63,337
- Median Income$47,331
- Median Home Value$129k
- Median Rent$616
- Median Age31.6 yrs
- Poverty Rate25.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
54,16963,337
Median Income
$51,524$47,331
Median Home Value
$121k$129k
Median Rent
$698$616
Median Age
33.6 yrs31.6 yrs
Poverty Rate
24.3%25.8%
Demographics
ZIP 78550
Harlingen city, TX
View full profile →- White %57.9%
- Black %2.1%
- Asian %0.9%
- Hispanic %82.8%
- Age 0–17 %28.6%
- Age 18–64 %55.3%
- Age 65+ %16.1%
- Bachelor's+ %21.7%
- Diversity Index-2/100
ZIP 78520
Brownsville city, TX
View full profile →- White %45.0%
- Black %0.6%
- Asian %0.3%
- Hispanic %92.6%
- Age 0–17 %27.3%
- Age 18–64 %59.0%
- Age 65+ %13.7%
- Bachelor's+ %22.8%
- Diversity Index-6/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
57.9%45.0%
Black %
2.1%0.6%
Asian %
0.9%0.3%
Hispanic %
82.8%92.6%
Age 0–17 %
28.6%27.3%
Age 18–64 %
55.3%59.0%
Age 65+ %
16.1%13.7%
Bachelor's+ %
21.7%22.8%
Diversity Index
-2/100-6/100
Economy
ZIP 78550
Harlingen city, TX
View full profile →- Median Income$51,524
- Unemployment %5.0%
- IRS Net Migration+2,555
- Work From Home %8.9%
ZIP 78520
Brownsville city, TX
View full profile →- Median Income$47,331
- Unemployment %6.5%
- IRS Net Migration+2,988
- Work From Home %8.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$51,524$47,331
Unemployment %
5.0%6.5%
IRS Net Migration
+2,555+2,988
Work From Home %
8.9%8.7%
Housing
ZIP 78550
Harlingen city, TX
View full profile →- Median Home Value$121k
- Median Rent$698
- Owner Occupied %52.7%
- Broadband %75.9%
- Vacant %12.1%
- Median Year Built1984
ZIP 78520
Brownsville city, TX
View full profile →- Median Home Value$129k
- Median Rent$616
- Owner Occupied %58.5%
- Broadband %79.6%
- Vacant %11.1%
- Median Year Built1990
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$121k$129k
Median Rent
$698$616
Owner Occupied %
52.7%58.5%
Broadband %
75.9%79.6%
Vacant %
12.1%11.1%
Median Year Built
19841990
Climate & Location
ZIP 78550
Harlingen city, TX
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)34 ft
- Nearest Airport2.0 miles (3.3 km)
- Distance to Coast5.4 miles (8.6 km)
ZIP 78520
Brownsville city, TX
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)15 ft
- Nearest Airport8.7 miles (14.0 km)
- Distance to Coast5.7 miles (9.2 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
34 ft15 ft
Nearest Airport
2.0 miles (3.3 km)8.7 miles (14.0 km)
Distance to Coast
5.4 miles (8.6 km)5.7 miles (9.2 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 78550
Harlingen city, TX
View full profile →- Work From Home %8.9%
- Walkability (0–100)42
- Broadband %75.9%
ZIP 78520
Brownsville city, TX
View full profile →- Work From Home %8.7%
- Walkability (0–100)41
- Broadband %79.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
8.9%8.7%
Walkability (0–100)
4241
Broadband %
75.9%79.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 78550 and 78520 compare?
ZIP 78550 is wealthier, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more diverse, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 78520 is higher home values, more affordable rent, more educated.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (78550), orange the second (78520). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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