Brockton MA vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Chicago
20.7%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 20.7% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 39.1% | Chicago + |
| Black | 38.3% | 28.4% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Chicago
7.9%
Chicago +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $75,134 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.9% | Chicago + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 16.8% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 45.5% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Chicago
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Chicago
1842
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.6% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.0% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.2°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Brockton +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 36.5 min | Brockton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Chicago has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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