Brockton, MA Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Brockton, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Brockton →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Roughly 104,713 people call Brockton, Massachusetts home. Household income runs $74,016 at the median, roughly in line with what we see across the broader set of cities (+3%).
Housing costs are a defining factor for anyone relocating to Brockton. The median home value sits at $364,700 (above the multi-city median at +12%), while renters pay a median of $1,446 per month. Buyers should weigh current mortgage rates and local property taxes against these figures before committing.
Brockton's home-price-to-income ratio of about 4.9× is fairly typical — housing costs track reasonably in line with local pay. Prices in the area have gained 4.37% year over year, a moderate pace that suggests a stable market around Brockton. Climate and natural-hazard risk in Brockton runs on the lower side, per FEMA's Relatively Moderate rating.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,446/mo in Brockton would take 23.4% of your income.
$404/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($364,700) would take 31.6% of your income toward principal & interest.
$220/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Brockton
Median home value is $364,700 and median gross rent is $1,446/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Plymouth rose 4.37% over the past year (as of 2025).
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Brockton's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Brockton reported a violent crime rate of 538 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Brockton
Planning a move to Brockton? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Brockton, MA?
- Brockton's key cost-of-living figures: $364,700 median home value, $1,446 median monthly rent, and $74,016 median household income, per the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Brockton?
- Brockton's median rent of $1,446/month works out to roughly $57,840 in annual income needed, if you're budgeting the standard 30% of gross pay toward rent. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Brockton.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Brockton?
- Renting in Brockton at the median $1,446/month calls for about $57,840 a year under the standard 30% guideline; buying the median home at $364,700 takes roughly $83,442 a year in principal and interest (20% down, 30-year fixed, current rates). Timeline and down payment usually decide which makes more sense.
- Is Brockton safe?
- Brockton's violent crime rate, per FBI reporting for 2025, stands at 538 per 100,000 residents.
See the full salary breakdown for Brockton →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Brockton's.