Brockton MA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 23.2% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 38.3% | 12.1% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Worcester
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $67,544 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 19.8% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 42.4% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Worcester
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Worcester
1086
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 326 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1086 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.7% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.1% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
Compare More Cities
Brockton, MA vs New York, NYBrockton, MA vs Los Angeles, CABrockton, MA vs Chicago, ILBrockton, MA vs Houston, TXBrockton, MA vs Phoenix, AZBrockton, MA vs Philadelphia, PA