Brockton MA vs Jersey City 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Brockton
29.2%
Brockton +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 29.2% | 28.7% | Brockton + |
| Black | 38.3% | 21.4% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Jersey City
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,416 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 15.6% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Brockton +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $664,939 | Brockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 28.8% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Jersey City
1426
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1426 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.0% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Jersey City, 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 +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Jersey City, 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
Brockton +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 40.3 min | Brockton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while brockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $506,468. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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