Brockton MA vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Brockton
29.2%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 24.8% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 38.3% | 5.7% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
San Diego
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Brockton +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $1,006,261 | Brockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 47.6% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.5% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.9% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 61.6°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Diego, 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
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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