Brockton MA vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Ontario
21.0%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 138,723 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.9 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 21.0% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 38.3% | 1.6% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Ontario
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Brockton +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $671,948 | Brockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 17.0% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 65.5°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 28.2 min | Ontario + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while brockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $506,468. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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