Brockton, MA vs New Bedford, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. New Bedford is 25% cheaper than Brockton. With a cost index of 95 vs 119, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from New Bedford to Brockton should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Brockton is $1,545/month compared to $1,085/month in New Bedford — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $405,500.

Median household income in Brockton is $77,089 compared to $56,025 in New Bedford (+37.6%). While Brockton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brockton spend roughly 24.1% of their income on rent, more than the 23.2% in New Bedford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 50.4°F). Brockton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 45.9" in New Bedford.