Brockton MA vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 9.2% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 38.3% | 4.2% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.8% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $69,991 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $66,354 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 55.8% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1960 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.6% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.6% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 51.6°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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