Brockton MA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.9 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 14.8% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 38.3% | 5.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $75,331 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 49.3% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.9% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.2°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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