Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brockton, MA
VS
West Palm Beach, FL
🏆 West Palm Beach leads 14 of 23 categories
Brockton
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$74,016 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
158⚠ High
Population
104,713
West Palm Beach
Florida
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,044
Violent Crime Index
152⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
117,588 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brockton, MA
Pros
Households earn $9,972 more per year on average
Rent averages $168/mo less ($1,446 vs $1,614)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 90°F
Cons
Violent crime (599.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Pricier housing — median home is $364,700
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 6.2%)
West Palm Beach, FL
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (6.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 75°F vs 39°F
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 37.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Homes cost $40k less ($324,800 vs $364,700)
Cons
Violent crime (575.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Brockton by $9,972/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher rents — median is $1,614/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Brockton
Median Income
$9,972
$74,016 vs $64,044/yr
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 111.6 on the COL index
West Palm Beach
Violent Crime
4% lower
575.8 vs 599.2 per 100k
West Palm Beach
Median Home Value
$40k less
$324,800 vs $364,700
West Palm Beach
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
6.2% vs 8.2% unemployment
West Palm Beach
Summer Heat
5.8°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 84.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brockton, MA | West Palm Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $364,700⚠ High | $324,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,446⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,614⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,016 ✓ Higher | $64,044 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 23.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.5% | 11.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 158⚠ High | 152⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 64 ✓ Safer | 102⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.7% | 37.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.8% | 86.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Brockton | PALM BEACH |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.7°F | 74.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.2°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.2" ✓ Drier | 61.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 104,713 | 117,588 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 40.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% ✓ Higher | 49.8% |
| Under 18 | 25.0% ✓ More | 17.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 19.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brockton's cost of living index is 111.6 vs West Palm Beach's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Brockton is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, West Palm Beach leads 14 of 23 categories. Brockton wins 9 and West Palm Beach wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Brockton to West Palm Beach or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($364,700 vs $324,800 median home), income ($74,016 vs $64,044), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brockton, MA and West Palm Beach, FL are about 1,178 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.