Brockton MA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Waco
9.8%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Brockton +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 9.8% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 38.3% | 20.4% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.0% | Brockton + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $51,468 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $28,819 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 24.0% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 48.9% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.8% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 20.4% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 66.6°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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