Brockton MA vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.5 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.3% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 38.3% | 21.8% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Brockton +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $53,328 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $30,409 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.6% | Brockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 21.9% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 53.8% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Brockton +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 44.7% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.4% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 14.0% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.5% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.1% | Brockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.2°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Brockton has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, 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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