Brockton MA vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Madison
11.6%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 11.6% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 38.3% | 7.1% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 9.3% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $76,983 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,837 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 16.2% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 46.6% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Madison
1392
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1392 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.8% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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