Brockton MA vs Carmel IN — 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%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Carmel
12.9%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 100,501 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.5 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 38.3% | 3.7% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 5.0% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,697 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Brockton +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $570,592 | Brockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Carmel
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Carmel
1719
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 370 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1719 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Carmel
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 30.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 51.6°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 42.2 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 26.4 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while brockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $506,468. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
Compare More Cities
Brockton, MA vs New York, NYBrockton, MA vs Los Angeles, CABrockton, MA vs Chicago, ILBrockton, MA vs Houston, TXBrockton, MA vs Phoenix, AZBrockton, MA vs Philadelphia, PA