Brockton MA vs Palm Bay 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Brockton +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 41.3 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 15.1% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 38.3% | 19.3% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.1% | Brockton + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Palm Bay
22.6%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $67,521 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $34,474 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 22.6% | Palm Bay + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Palm Bay
1453
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.5% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.0% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 14.2% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palm Bay, 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
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay 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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