Brockton MA vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 41.5 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 27.4% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 38.3% | 6.6% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 2.4% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,052 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Sterling Heights
1590
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 471 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1590 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.0% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Brockton +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, 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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