Brockton MA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 4.7% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 38.3% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 5.2% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $48,536 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $31,324 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $51,690 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 23.8% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 45.1% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 400 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1734 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Tuscaloosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 42.6% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 21.3% | Tuscaloosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.5% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 65.0°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 55.0 in | Brockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, 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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