Brockton MA vs Elgin 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%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Elgin
26.5%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 114,106 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 26.5% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 38.3% | 5.2% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Elgin
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 26.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Elgin
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Elgin
1842
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elgin, 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%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 16.8% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.1% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elgin, 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
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 30.4 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Elgin. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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