Brockton, MA vs Salem, MA

Brockton is moderately more affordable than Salem, with a 11.4% lower cost of living index. Brockton scores 119 compared to 134 for Salem, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Salem 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 $1,800/month in Salem — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brockton is more affordable at $405,500 median vs $497,400.

Median household income in Brockton is $77,089 compared to $85,137 in Salem (-9.5%). The higher salaries in Salem partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Brockton spend roughly 24.1% of their income on rent, less than the 25.4% in Salem.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 49.9°F). Brockton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 44.9" in Salem.