Brockton MA vs Columbus OH — 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, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Columbus
14.4%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Columbus
29.0%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 14.4% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 53.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 38.3% | 29.0% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 7.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Columbus
$65,327
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $65,327 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $37,189 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,300 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 17.8% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 44.3% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1866 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Columbus
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.8% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.7% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.1% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 40.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 23.4 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 $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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