78578 vs 78597 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 78578, Orange = ZIP 78597.
Quick verdict: ZIP 78578 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment. ZIP 78597 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 78578
Brownsville city, TX
View full profile →- Population10,231
- Median Income$52,041
- Median Home Value$194k
- Median Rent$637
- Median Age48.2 yrs
- Poverty Rate19.7%
ZIP 78597
South Padre Island town, TX
View full profile →- Population2,881
- Median Income$61,357
- Median Home Value$509k
- Median Rent$1,326
- Median Age59.2 yrs
- Poverty Rate13.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
10,2312,881
Median Income
$52,041$61,357
Median Home Value
$194k$509k
Median Rent
$637$1,326
Median Age
48.2 yrs59.2 yrs
Poverty Rate
19.7%13.8%
Demographics
ZIP 78578
Brownsville city, TX
View full profile →- White %75.3%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.3%
- Hispanic %63.0%
- Age 0–17 %20.0%
- Age 18–64 %53.2%
- Age 65+ %26.8%
- Bachelor's+ %24.4%
- Diversity Index4/100
ZIP 78597
South Padre Island town, TX
View full profile →- White %80.2%
- Black %5.5%
- Asian %1.7%
- Hispanic %14.7%
- Age 0–17 %10.9%
- Age 18–64 %55.0%
- Age 65+ %34.0%
- Bachelor's+ %53.1%
- Diversity Index33/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
75.3%80.2%
Black %
0.0%5.5%
Asian %
0.3%1.7%
Hispanic %
63.0%14.7%
Age 0–17 %
20.0%10.9%
Age 18–64 %
53.2%55.0%
Age 65+ %
26.8%34.0%
Bachelor's+ %
24.4%53.1%
Diversity Index
4/10033/100
Economy
ZIP 78578
Brownsville city, TX
View full profile →- Median Income$52,041
- Unemployment %4.4%
- IRS Net Migration+483
- Work From Home %7.7%
ZIP 78597
South Padre Island town, TX
View full profile →- Median Income$61,357
- Unemployment %6.5%
- IRS Net Migration+136
- Work From Home %18.0%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$52,041$61,357
Unemployment %
4.4%6.5%
IRS Net Migration
+483+136
Work From Home %
7.7%18.0%
Housing
ZIP 78578
Brownsville city, TX
View full profile →- Median Home Value$194k
- Median Rent$637
- Owner Occupied %76.8%
- Broadband %76.3%
- Vacant %32.8%
- Median Year Built1992
ZIP 78597
South Padre Island town, TX
View full profile →- Median Home Value$509k
- Median Rent$1,326
- Owner Occupied %66.8%
- Broadband %85.7%
- Vacant %73.9%
- Median Year Built1985
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$194k$509k
Median Rent
$637$1,326
Owner Occupied %
76.8%66.8%
Broadband %
76.3%85.7%
Vacant %
32.8%73.9%
Median Year Built
19921985
Climate & Location
ZIP 78578
Brownsville city, TX
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)17 ft
- Nearest Airport11.7 miles (18.8 km)
- Distance to Coast2.3 miles (3.7 km)
ZIP 78597
South Padre Island town, TX
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)19 ft
- Nearest Airport23.2 miles (37.4 km)
- Distance to Coast0.3 miles (0.5 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
17 ft19 ft
Nearest Airport
11.7 miles (18.8 km)23.2 miles (37.4 km)
Distance to Coast
2.3 miles (3.7 km)0.3 miles (0.5 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 78578
Brownsville city, TX
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.7%
- Walkability (0–100)39
- Broadband %76.3%
ZIP 78597
South Padre Island town, TX
View full profile →- Work From Home %18.0%
- Walkability (0–100)41
- Broadband %85.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
7.7%18.0%
Walkability (0–100)
3941
Broadband %
76.3%85.7%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 78578 and 78597 compare?
ZIP 78578 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment. ZIP 78597 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (78578), orange the second (78597). 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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