Brockton MA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Brockton +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.4 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 4.8% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 38.3% | 1.6% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.1% | Brockton + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 9.5% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,074 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Brockton +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $534,732 | Brockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.6% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Meridian, ID | 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
Brockton +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while brockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $506,468. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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