Brockton MA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Brockton
29.2%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Brockton +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 102,866 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 8.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 38.3% | 24.4% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.7% | Brockton + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $52,512 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $29,511 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,697 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 22.6% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Brockton, MA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 370 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1719 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
South Bend
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Brockton +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.7% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.2% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.6% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.2% | Brockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.8°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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