Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brockton, MA
VS
Greensboro, NC
🏆 Greensboro leads 16 of 23 categories
Brockton
Massachusetts
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$74,016 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
158⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
104,713
Greensboro
North Carolina
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,051
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High
Population
297,202 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brockton, MA
Pros
35% less violent crime than Greensboro
Households earn $18,965 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $364,700
Higher rents — median is $1,446/mo
Violent crime (599.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
Pros
Homes cost $168k less ($197,200 vs $364,700)
Rent averages $398/mo less ($1,048 vs $1,446)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (5.5%)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Brockton
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 39.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Brockton by $18,965/yr
Violent crime (923.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3383.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Brockton
Median Income
$18,965
$74,016 vs $55,051/yr
Brockton
Violent Crime
35% lower
599.2 vs 923.7 per 100k
Greensboro
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Greensboro
Median Home Value
$168k less
$197,200 vs $364,700
Greensboro
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
5.5% vs 8.2% unemployment
Greensboro
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 88.6°F vs 84.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Greensboro, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $364,700⚠ High | $197,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,446⚠ High | $1,048 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,016 ✓ Higher | $55,051 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.5% | 9.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 210⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 158⚠ High ✓ Safer | 243⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 64 ✓ Safer | 161⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.7% | 39.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.8% | 90.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Brockton | Guilford County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.7°F | 50.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.2°F | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.2" | 45.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.3" | 7.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 104,713 | 297,202 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.4 ✓ Older | 34.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% ✓ Higher | 49.6% |
| Under 18 | 25.0% ✓ More | 22.1% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 13.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brockton's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Greensboro's 92.7 (US average = 100).
Greensboro is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Greensboro leads 16 of 23 categories. Brockton wins 7 and Greensboro wins 16. 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 Greensboro or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($364,700 vs $197,200 median home), income ($74,016 vs $55,051), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brockton, MA and Greensboro, NC are about 627 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.