Albany NY vs Brockton MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Brockton
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Brockton
36.5
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Brockton
29.2%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Brockton
2.2%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Brockton
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 105,080 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 32.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 53.0% | 29.2% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 38.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.2% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 12.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Brockton
$35,524
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Albany +
Brockton
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Brockton
21.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $77,089 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $35,524 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.3% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 21.3% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Brockton
$506,468
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $506,468 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 57.0% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 326 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1086 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Brockton
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Brockton
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Brockton
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Brockton
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Brockton
17.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.9% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.4% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 21.4% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.3% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 17.7% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Brockton
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Brockton
49.9 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.2°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 49.9 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Brockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Brockton
34.1 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 34.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Albany has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, NY vs New York, NYAlbany, NY vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, NY vs Chicago, ILAlbany, NY vs Houston, TXAlbany, NY vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, NY vs Philadelphia, PA