Brockton MA vs Cambridge MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Cambridge
117,794
Cambridge +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Cambridge
28.8%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Cambridge
10.5%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 117,794 | Cambridge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 28.8% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 57.5% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 38.3% | 10.5% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Cambridge
$85,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Brockton +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $1,041,988 | Brockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 33.7% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Cambridge
326
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Cambridge
1086
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 326 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1086 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.5% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 28.3 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while brockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $506,468. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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