Brockton MA vs Dayton 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Dayton
38.0%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Brockton +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 5.0% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.3% | 38.0% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.2% | Brockton + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 5.5% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Brockton +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Brockton +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $43,454 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $26,381 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,300 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 9.7% | Brockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 27.1% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 20.7% | Brockton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 48.2% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1866 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Brockton +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Brockton +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 42.9% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 17.6% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 21.6% | Brockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.2% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 20.5% | Brockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 54.1°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Brockton has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Brockton, MA vs New York, NYBrockton, MA vs Los Angeles, CABrockton, MA vs Chicago, ILBrockton, MA vs Houston, TXBrockton, MA vs Phoenix, AZBrockton, MA vs Philadelphia, PA