Brockton MA vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 7.7% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 38.3% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 9.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $64,017 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 17.3% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 45.7% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.9% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.9% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.1% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Brockton +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 60.6°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 50.8 in | Brockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Brockton 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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