Brockton MA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 98,677 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.0 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 7.5% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 38.3% | 29.0% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.6% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $52,671 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $34,792 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 19.7% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 51.7% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 41.9% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.9% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.0% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 56.0°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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