Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brockton, MA
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Worcester leads 13 of 21 categories
Brockton
Massachusetts
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$74,016 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
158⚠ High
Population
104,713
Worcester
Massachusetts
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,011
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brockton, MA
Pros
Households earn $11,005 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 39°F vs 32°F
Cons
Violent crime (599.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $364,700
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 6.6%)
Worcester, MA
Pros
97% less violent crime than Brockton
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (6.6%)
Homes cost $59k less ($305,600 vs $364,700)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 33.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Brockton by $11,005/yr
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Brockton
Median Income
$11,005
$74,016 vs $63,011/yr
Brockton
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 84.2°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 103.8 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Worcester
Violent Crime
97% lower
16.5 vs 599.2 per 100k
Worcester
Median Home Value
$59k less
$305,600 vs $364,700
Worcester
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
6.6% vs 8.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 103.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $364,700⚠ High | $305,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,446⚠ High | $1,312 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,016 ✓ Higher | $63,011 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.5% | 9.9% ✓ 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 | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 64 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.7% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.8% | 85.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Brockton | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.7°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.2°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.2" | 48.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.3" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 104,713 | 204,191 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.4 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 25.0% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brockton's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Worcester is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Worcester leads 13 of 21 categories. Brockton wins 8 and Worcester wins 13. 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 Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($364,700 vs $305,600 median home), income ($74,016 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brockton, MA and Worcester, MA are about 42 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.