Brockton MA vs Gastonia NC — 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%
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Brockton +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 81,632 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.2 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 7.3% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 38.3% | 30.9% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.2% | Brockton + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 11.4% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $60,554 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $33,611 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 14.3% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 54.2% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 37.8% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.5% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.5% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 60.5°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gastonia, NC | 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
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, 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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