Brownsville, Texas, November 4, 2025 - The consulting firm Niche Research ranked several Rio Grande Valley cities, including Pharr, Brownsville, and Edinburg, among those with the lowest quality of life in the state of Texas.
The report evaluated factors such as per capita income, access to healthcare, public safety, infrastructure, and job opportunities.
Brownsville received a low rating for job creation, while Pharr was singled out for problems with road connectivity and urban services.
Local authorities responded that the municipalities are implementing economic and educational development programs to reverse the lag. "We have a historic challenge, but also great opportunities," stated Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza.
The study reignites the debate about the need for state and federal investment in South Texas, one of the regions with the highest population growth but the lowest average income.
