Brockton MA vs Fresno CA — 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Fresno
18.9%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 18.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 38.0% | Fresno + |
| Black | 38.3% | 6.7% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Fresno
$66,804
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Fresno
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Brockton +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $66,804 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $31,012 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.6% | Brockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 20.9% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 24.9% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Fresno
49.7%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $391,442 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 49.7% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 37.5% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.7% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.1% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 15.3% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.8% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 64.2°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 23.7 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Brockton has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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