Baltimore MD vs Brockton MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Brockton
105,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Brockton
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Brockton
36.5
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Brockton
29.2%
Brockton +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Brockton
38.3%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Brockton
2.2%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Brockton
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 105,080 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.5 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 32.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 27.4% | 29.2% | Brockton + |
| Black | 60.0% | 38.3% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.2% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Brockton
$35,524
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Brockton
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Brockton
21.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $77,089 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $35,524 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $85,405 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 8.3% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 21.3% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Brockton
$506,468
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $506,468 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 57.0% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 326 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1086 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Brockton
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Brockton
17.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 35.9% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.4% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 21.4% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.4% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.3% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.7% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Brockton
49.9 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 49.2°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 49.9 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Brockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Brockton
34.1 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 34.1 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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