Brockton MA vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Brockton
29.2%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 29.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 38.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Paterson
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,416 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Brockton +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $527,542 | Brockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Paterson
1426
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1426 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 37.5% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.1% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 28.6% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Paterson, NJ | 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 +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $506,468. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. 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%.
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