Brockton MA vs Charlotte NC — 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Charlotte
18.1%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Charlotte
34.1%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.4 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 18.1% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 41.5% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 38.3% | 34.1% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 17.0% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Charlotte
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Charlotte
51.5%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $399,070 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 51.5% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Charlotte
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Charlotte
1999
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charlotte, NC | 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%
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Charlotte
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Charlotte
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 30.1% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.4% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.4% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.4% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Charlotte
59.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 59.9°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 41.6 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 26.7 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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