Brockton MA vs Cedar Rapids IA — 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%
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 136,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.9 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 7.1% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 38.3% | 8.5% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 5.1% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $67,859 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,226 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 32.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Cedar Rapids
1452
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1452 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.3% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.4% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 50.3°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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