Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brockton, MA
VS
Newark, NJ
🏆 Brockton leads 15 of 22 categories
Brockton
Massachusetts
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$74,016 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
158⚠ High
Population
104,713
Newark
New Jersey
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$46,460
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
307,355 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brockton, MA
Pros
Households earn $27,556 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (8.2%)
More college-educated — 20.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (599.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $364,700
Higher rents — median is $1,446/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Newark, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $52k less ($312,300 vs $364,700)
Rent averages $173/mo less ($1,273 vs $1,446)
Cons
Median income trails Brockton by $27,556/yr
Violent crime (581.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Higher unemployment (10.7% vs 8.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Brockton
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 111.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Brockton
Median Income
$27,556
$74,016 vs $46,460/yr
Brockton
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
8.2% vs 10.7% unemployment
Newark
Violent Crime
3% lower
581.2 vs 599.2 per 100k
Newark
Median Home Value
$52k less
$312,300 vs $364,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $364,700⚠ High | $312,300⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,446⚠ High | $1,273 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,016 ✓ Higher | $46,460 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 5.5% ✓ Higher | 4.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 158⚠ High | 153⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 64 ✓ Safer | 93 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 | 15.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.7% ✓ Higher | 17.0% |
| High School or Higher | 81.8% ✓ Higher | 77.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Brockton | Newark Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.7°F | 39.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.2°F | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.2" ✓ Drier | 50.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.3" | 28.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 104,713 | 307,355 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.4 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% ✓ Higher | 23.9% |
| Under 18 | 25.0% ✓ More | 24.1% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 10.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brockton's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Newark's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Brockton is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Brockton leads 15 of 22 categories. Brockton wins 15 and Newark wins 7. 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 Newark or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($364,700 vs $312,300 median home), income ($74,016 vs $46,460), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brockton, MA and Newark, NJ are about 188 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.