Brockton MA vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Houston
28.8%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 28.8% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 35.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 38.3% | 22.9% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $62,894 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 19.7% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 42.0% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 38.0% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 24.0% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 48.7 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 29.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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