Brockton MA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Salem
12.2%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.2% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 38.3% | 1.6% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $71,900 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,691 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 14.7% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 55.7% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 355 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3001 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 41.4% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.6% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 53.0°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Brockton, MA vs New York, NYBrockton, MA vs Los Angeles, CABrockton, MA vs Chicago, ILBrockton, MA vs Houston, TXBrockton, MA vs Phoenix, AZBrockton, MA vs Philadelphia, PA