Brockton MA vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Brockton +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Brockton +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 5.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 11.7% | Brockton + |
| Black | 38.3% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.6% | Brockton + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.0% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Brockton +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Brockton +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $39,575 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $24,029 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,052 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 14.1% | Brockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 31.5% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 17.6% | Brockton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 49.7% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Detroit
1590
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 471 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1590 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Brockton +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Brockton +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 45.6% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 19.2% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 22.6% | Brockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.6% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 21.8% | Brockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 50.3°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Detroit
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 27.3 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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%.
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