Brockton MA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 14.6% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 38.3% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Brockton +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $60,698 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,080 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.4% | Brockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 22.0% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 52.3% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1613 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 57.1°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Brockton +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 34.5 min | Brockton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Brockton has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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