Brockton MA vs Brownsville TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Brownsville
27.2%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Brockton +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 188,023 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 27.2% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 45.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 38.3% | 0.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 0.8% | Brockton + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Brownsville
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Brownsville
22.3%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $48,675 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $21,338 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.1% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 24.9% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 22.3% | Brownsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $196,920 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Brownsville
2339
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Brownsville
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.8% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 18.7% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 36.5% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.3% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 74.5°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 27.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Brownsville
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 22.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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