Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brockton, MA
VS
Independence, MO
🏆 Independence leads 17 of 23 categories
Brockton
Massachusetts
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$74,016 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
158⚠ High
Population
104,713
Independence
Missouri
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,415
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
122,218 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brockton, MA
Pros
Households earn $16,601 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 18% higher than Independence
Independence, MO
Pros
Homes cost $214k less ($150,800 vs $364,700)
Rent averages $426/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,446)
5% less violent crime than Brockton
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Brockton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (6.2%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (571.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Brockton by $16,601/yr
Property crime (3523.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Brockton
Median Income
$16,601
$74,016 vs $57,415/yr
Independence
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Independence
Violent Crime
5% lower
571.2 vs 599.2 per 100k
Independence
Median Home Value
$214k less
$150,800 vs $364,700
Independence
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
6.2% vs 8.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Independence, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $364,700⚠ High | $150,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,446⚠ High | $1,020 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,016 ✓ Higher | $57,415 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.5% | 8.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 158⚠ High | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 64 ✓ Safer | 168⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.7% ✓ Higher | 19.5% |
| High School or Higher | 81.8% | 90.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Brockton | INDEPENDENCE 30 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.7°F ✓ Warmer | 37.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.2°F | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.2" | 44.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.3" | 13.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 104,713 | 122,218 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 39.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 60.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 25.0% ✓ More | 22.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 18.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brockton's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Independence's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Independence is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Independence leads 17 of 23 categories. Brockton wins 6 and Independence 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 Independence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($364,700 vs $150,800 median home), income ($74,016 vs $57,415), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brockton, MA and Independence, MO are about 1,237 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.