Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brockton, MA
VS
Columbia, MD
🏆 Columbia leads 17 of 20 categories
Brockton
Massachusetts
3
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$74,016
Violent Crime Index
158⚠ High
Population
104,713
Columbia
Maryland
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$124,537 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
106,600 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brockton, MA
Pros
Rent averages $449/mo less ($1,446 vs $1,895)
Homes cost $94k less ($364,700 vs $458,700)
Cons
Median income trails Columbia by $50,521/yr
Violent crime (599.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 4.0%)
Columbia, MD
Pros
Households earn $50,521 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.2 pts lower (4.0%)
More college-educated — 63.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Brockton
Smaller class sizes — 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,895/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $458,700
Key Differences at a Glance
Brockton
Median Home Value
$94k less
$364,700 vs $458,700
Columbia
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 102.7 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Columbia
Median Income
$50,521
$124,537 vs $74,016/yr
Columbia
Unemployment
4.2 pp lower
4.0% vs 8.2% unemployment
Columbia
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 84.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Columbia, MD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 102.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $364,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $458,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,446⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,895⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,016 | $124,537 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 4.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 29.6 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.5% | 18.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 120⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 158⚠ High | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 64 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | A (123) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.7% | 63.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.8% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Brockton | Howard County Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.7°F | 42.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.2°F | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.2" | 49.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.3" | 28.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 104,713 | 106,600 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 64.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.0% ✓ More | 21.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 16.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brockton's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Columbia's 102.7 (US average = 100).
Columbia is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Columbia leads 17 of 20 categories. Brockton wins 3 and Columbia wins 17. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Brockton to Columbia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($364,700 vs $458,700 median home), income ($74,016 vs $124,537), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brockton, MA and Columbia, MD are about 365 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.