Brockton MA vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 9.3% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 38.3% | 22.5% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 4.2% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $64,137 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,080 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 19.5% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 47.2% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1613 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 51.8°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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