Brockton MA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.3 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.2% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 38.3% | 10.5% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,120 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 56.5% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 383 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3409 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 37.3% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.3% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.8% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 53.5°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma 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%.
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