Brockton MA vs Lake Charles LA — 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 81,679 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 4.7% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 38.3% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 4.7% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $56,864 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $55,297 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 23.2% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 643 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2824 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Brockton +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 45.6% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.2% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.6% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.0% | Brockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Brockton +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 62.4 in | Brockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lake Charles, LA | 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
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Brockton, MA vs New York, NYBrockton, MA vs Los Angeles, CABrockton, MA vs Chicago, ILBrockton, MA vs Houston, TXBrockton, MA vs Phoenix, AZBrockton, MA vs Philadelphia, PA