Brockton MA vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Brockton +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 71,455 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 4.6% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 38.3% | 6.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.0% | Brockton + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 5.6% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $55,429 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,097 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 21.1% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 49.8% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 639 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2350 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Johnson City
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Johnson City
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.2% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.9% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Johnson City, TN | 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 +
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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