Brockton, MA vs Chelsea, MA

Brockton is moderately more affordable than Chelsea, with a 11.4% lower cost of living index. Brockton scores 119 compared to 134 for Chelsea, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Chelsea can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Brockton is $1,545/month compared to $1,859/month in Chelsea — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brockton is more affordable at $405,500 median vs $476,500.

Median household income in Brockton is $77,089 compared to $72,220 in Chelsea (+6.7%). Brockton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Brockton spend roughly 24.1% of their income on rent, less than the 30.9% in Chelsea. The Brockton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 51.9°F). Brockton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 43.6" in Chelsea.