Brockton MA vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brockton
105,080
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
West Palm Beach
27.2%
White
Brockton
29.2%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.2 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 27.2% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 38.3% | 31.5% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $69,261 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 14.8% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 50.2% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
West Palm Beach
1453
| Metric | Brockton, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.7% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 16.9% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Brockton +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Brockton +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Brockton, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 75.4°F | Brockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 62.3 in | Brockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brockton, MA | West Palm Beach, 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
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Brockton. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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