Brockton MA vs Chattanooga TN — 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%
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Chattanooga
36.6
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Chattanooga
7.7%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Chattanooga
28.6%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Chattanooga
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 182,832 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.6 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 7.7% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 58.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 38.3% | 28.6% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 9.3% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Chattanooga
$61,028
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Chattanooga
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Chattanooga
17.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $61,028 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $40,040 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,097 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 17.6% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 35.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Chattanooga
53.1%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $322,291 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 53.1% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 639 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2350 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Chattanooga
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Chattanooga
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Chattanooga
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.3% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.2% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.7% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Brockton +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 60.9°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 52.5 in | Brockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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