Cost of Living in Brockton, MA

Population 105,080 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

127
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Brockton lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $406,000 — 33% above the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in Massachusetts. At 8.3%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Cost Overview

Housing 133
Rent 118

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Brockton

The median home value in Brockton is $405,500 — 33% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,545/month, 18% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,089/year is 3% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.3%, above the national average of 4.8%. Massachusetts's top state income tax rate is 9.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.3%. Overall, Brockton has a cost of living index of 127 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$405,500
33% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$493,159
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,545/mo
18% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,207/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.9x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,429
1 BR
$1,498
2 BR
$1,963
3 BR
$2,405
4 BR
$2,811
Owner-occupied 57.0%
Renter-occupied 43.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,545
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,159/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
34.4 min
27% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.8%
Carpooled
12.5%
Public transit
5.0%
Walked
1.4%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
6.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.0%
Total Sales Tax 6.3%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$77,089
3% above avg
Per Capita Income
$35,524
Unemployment Rate
8.3%
72% above avg
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Labor Force Participation
67.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.6%
Graduate degree 6.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.5
Male median age 35.5
Female median age 37.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
76.2%
Good air days/yr
114
Max AQI recorded
155
PM2.5 days
210
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

80%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
23
Public schools
16,024
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brockton, MA?

Brockton has a cost index of 127 (100 = national average). It is 27% above the national average.

What is average rent in Brockton, MA?

The median gross rent in Brockton is $1,545 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Brockton?

The median home value in Brockton is $405,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Brockton?

The median household income in Brockton is $77,089 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Brockton, MA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Brockton is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.

Is Brockton, MA affordable?

Brockton is above average in cost of living, with an index of 127 — about 27% higher than the national average.

Brockton at a Glance

Population
105,080
Median Income
$77,089
Home Value
$405,500
Median Rent
$1,545/mo
Unemployment
8.3%
Sales Tax
6.3%
View all cities in Massachusetts →
🗺️ County data for Massachusetts

Explore county-level cost of living data

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