Brockton MA vs Lancaster 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 38.3% | 21.4% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Lancaster
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Brockton +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $76,083 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $29,766 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 15.5% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 20.1% | Brockton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lancaster, 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%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.9% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.8% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 62.1°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 33.0 min | Lancaster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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