Brockton MA vs Charleston WV — 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, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Charleston
3.9%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Charleston
11.8%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 47,918 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 42.6 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 3.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 76.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 38.3% | 11.8% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.7% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 1.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Charleston
$64,512
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Charleston
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $64,512 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $45,967 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $50,163 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 16.5% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 44.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $164,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 62.7% | Charleston + |
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, WV | 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%
Brockton +
Charleston
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Charleston
15.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Charleston
20.2%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Charleston
17.7%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.2% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.6% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 20.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.7% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Charleston
53.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 53.9°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 46.2 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Charleston
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 19.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. 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 6.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Brockton, MA vs New York, NYBrockton, MA vs Los Angeles, CABrockton, MA vs Chicago, ILBrockton, MA vs Houston, TXBrockton, MA vs Phoenix, AZBrockton, MA vs Philadelphia, PA