Brockton MA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Providence
32.8%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 32.8% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 38.3% | 13.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $66,772 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $64,538 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 20.1% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 41.2% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Providence
1303
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1303 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 14.6% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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