Brockton MA vs Virginia Beach 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.4 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 9.1% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 38.3% | 18.9% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.5% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Brockton +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Virginia Beach, 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
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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