Brockton MA vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 44,998 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 57.8 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 17.2% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 38.3% | 5.4% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Palmdale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Palmdale
8.2%
Palmdale +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $71,979 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.2% | Palmdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $503,393 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 15.7% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.8% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 63.5°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Palmdale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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