Brockton MA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.1% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 38.3% | 27.6% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 10.3% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Syracuse
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $45,845 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $27,570 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,425 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 29.6% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 41.3% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 434 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1736 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Syracuse
20.8%
Syracuse +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Syracuse
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 41.5% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 20.8% | Syracuse + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.7% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and 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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