Brockton MA vs Hayward 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%
Hayward, CA
California · Population: 159,201
- Median HH Income$113,775
- Median Home Price$847,838
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Brockton
29.2%
Brockton +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 159,201 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.2 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 29.2% | 19.6% | Brockton + |
| Black | 38.3% | 9.0% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Hayward
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 32.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Brockton +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Hayward
57.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $847,838 | Brockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 57.0% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hayward, 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%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Hayward
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.4% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.8% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 58.9°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hayward, 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
Brockton +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 36.7 min | Brockton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, 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 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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