Brockton MA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 38.3% | 7.8% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 16.2% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 41.6% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.7% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.3% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 71.3°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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