Brockton MA vs San Marcos TX — 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Brockton
29.2%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Brockton +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 99,507 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 5.8% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 38.3% | 4.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.4% | Brockton + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $64,146 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $33,835 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Brockton +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 22.3% | Brockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 19.7% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.7% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 68.5°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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