San Mateo vs Brockton: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of San Mateo, CA and Brockton, MA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | San Mateo, CA | Brockton, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,165 | 104,713 |
| Median household income | $149,152 | $74,016 |
| Median home value | $1,508,900 | $364,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,971 | $1,446 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing San Mateo, CA and Brockton, MA comes down to what you value most. Brockton has the lower median home value, and Brockton has the lower median rent.
San Mateo has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in San Mateo or Brockton?
- By median home value, Brockton is the cheaper of the two ($364,700 vs $1,508,900). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, San Mateo or Brockton?
- Median household income is $149,152 in San Mateo versus $74,016 in Brockton, per the US Census Bureau.