Brockton MA vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Hartford
23.0%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Brockton +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Hartford
36.1%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 119,970 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 23.0% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 26.4% | Brockton + |
| Black | 38.3% | 36.1% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Hartford
$85,393
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Brockton +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Brockton +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $45,300 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $27,319 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,393 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 10.6% | Brockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 25.5% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 18.3% | Brockton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 25.8% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Hartford
1524
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1524 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Hartford
20.8%
Hartford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.4% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.8% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 20.8% | Hartford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 20.3% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 50.6°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 45.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 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%.
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