Brockton MA vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.1% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 38.3% | 21.6% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $45,611 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $30,282 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 28.0% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 38.5% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Gainesville
1453
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Gainesville
21.3%
Gainesville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 21.3% | Gainesville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.8% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 68.9°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 47.3 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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