Brockton MA vs Buffalo NY — 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%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Buffalo
32.9%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Buffalo
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 10.5% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 45.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 38.3% | 32.9% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 12.7% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Buffalo
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $48,050 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $30,995 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,425 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.2% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 27.4% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 30.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 42.7% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Buffalo
1736
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 434 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1736 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Buffalo
13.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Buffalo
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 38.4% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.1% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.4% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.5% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 40.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, 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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