Brockton MA vs Lakeland 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 82,506 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 48.4 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 38.3% | 8.8% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $60,465 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Lakeland
1453
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 38.9% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 16.4% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Brockton +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 72.6°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 54.8 in | Brockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lakeland, 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
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland 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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