Brockton MA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Portland
11.1%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 68,505 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.5 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 11.1% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 38.3% | 9.0% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 3.1% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $76,174 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,587 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Brockton +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $561,069 | Brockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 46.7% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Portland
1234
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1234 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.3% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while brockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $506,468. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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