Brockton MA vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Brockton
29.2%
Brockton +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Brockton +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 29.2% | 24.8% | Brockton + |
| Black | 38.3% | 17.1% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.8% | Brockton + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Elizabeth
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Brockton +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $63,874 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $28,490 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,416 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 15.3% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 14.2% | Brockton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Brockton +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $531,592 | Brockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 25.4% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Elizabeth
1426
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1426 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.7% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 28.1% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.0% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 29.3 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while brockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $506,468. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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