Brockton MA vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Charleston
17.4%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 5.4% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 38.3% | 17.4% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.2% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 5.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $54,550 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Brockton +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $593,739 | Brockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 55.6% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Charleston
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.7% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 22.9% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Brockton +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 65.9°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 51.0 in | Brockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 25.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while brockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $506,468. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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