Brockton MA vs Columbus GA — 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%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Columbus
8.3%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 204,383 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 5.3% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 39.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 38.3% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.3% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Columbus
$56,622
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Columbus
$32,811
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Columbus
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $56,622 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $32,811 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,405 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 18.8% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 29.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Columbus
50.2%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 50.2% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Columbus
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Columbus
1752
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 392 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1752 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.3% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.5% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.1% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 14.8% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.1% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Columbus
49.6 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 64.4°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 49.6 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 21.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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