Brockton MA vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 10.8% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 38.3% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $51,888 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $29,679 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,837 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 23.3% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 41.5% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Milwaukee
1392
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1392 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 41.8% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.7% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 14.1% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Milwaukee, 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Milwaukee 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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