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We cover 115 Greater Boston communities: 93 independent towns plus 22 Boston neighborhoods. Each has a detailed profile with school ratings, median home prices, commute times, and community character insights.

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The best school districts in the Greater Boston area include: 1. Weston (9.5/10 rating, $2.15M median home price); 2. Sherborn (9.4/10 rating, $1.35M median home price); 3. Boxborough (9.4/10 rating, $1.03M median home price); 4. Concord (9.3/10 rating, $1.95M median home price); 5. Hopkinton (9.3/10 rating, $925K median home price). These ratings are based on public school performance, test scores, college readiness, and student progress data.

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School ratings (1-10 scale) combine multiple factors: public high school SAT/MCAS scores, college enrollment rates, student-teacher ratios, and GreatSchools data. We also note private school availability for families considering independent education.

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Yes. Use the price filter to see communities under $1M, $1M-$2M, or over $2M median home price. You can also sort by lowest/highest price to find the most affordable or prestigious options.

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Boston Property Navigator

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Brockton

45 min to Boston

"The "City of Champions" where affordability meets authentic diversity"

Median Price

$450,000

$285/sqft

School Rating

4.8/10

Good

Appreciation

5.2%

per year

Commute

45 min

to downtown

Home Values in Brockton, MA

The average home price in Brockton, MA is approximately $450,000 (median), with homes trading at $285/sqft. Home values in Brockton have appreciated at roughly 5.2% per year, reflecting strong ongoing demand from buyers prioritizing schools and commute access.

Census estimated median home value: $450K (ACS 2022 5-year). Current market prices typically run higher due to post-2022 appreciation.

Financing Considerations

Properties in Brockton typically typically qualify for conforming loans with more flexible underwriting standards.

Learn about loan thresholds, property condition impact, flood/wind insurance, and how vintage homes (common in many MA towns) affect mortgage approval.

✨The Vibe

Gritty, resilient urban city with deep Cape Verdean and Haitian communities, legendary high school athletics, and the most affordable single-family homes in Greater Boston

What It's Really Like

Brockton is the "Blackest city in New England" (45% Black) and one of the last places in Greater Boston where you can buy a single-family home under $500K. It absorbed massive Black migration from Boston during the busing crisis, transforming from a white working-class industrial city into a diverse gateway suburb. Schools face challenges but offer programs small towns can't compete with—International Baccalaureate, vocational tracks, and legendary athletics. Crime is real but concentrated in specific neighborhoods. The West Side and East Side are significantly quieter and more suburban.

Best For

✓First-time buyers needing maximum affordability
✓Families who value diversity and cultural vibrancy over test scores
✓Investors seeking cash-flow positive properties
✓Those who embrace authentic urban communities
✓Buyers priced out of Randolph and Quincy

Avoid If

✗Top schools are non-negotiable (Brockton High struggles statistically)
✗You want suburban quiet and low crime rates
✗You need quick Boston access (45+ min commute)
✗You're uncomfortable with urban density and grit

🌟Highlights

💰Most affordable single-family homes in Greater Boston ($450K median)

🌍45% Black population—most diverse city in New England

🏆Brockton High School: legendary athletics program (4,000+ students)

🎓International Baccalaureate (IB) program—prestigious global curriculum

🔧In-house vocational/technical tracks (Automotive, Culinary, etc.)

🌐Extensive bilingual programs (Portuguese, French/Haitian Creole, Spanish)

🚂Three commuter rail stops (Montello, Brockton, Campello)

🏥Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital and Good Samaritan Medical Center

🎓Massasoit Community College in town

🍽️Incredible Cape Verdean and Haitian food scenes

Insider Tips

💡West Side (bordering Easton/Stoughton) is significantly quieter and more suburban
💡East Side (bordering Abington) is also quieter with better safety
💡Avoid downtown/Montello Street area—highest crime concentration
💡Campello neighborhood has large historic Victorians
💡Downtown/Montello has dense multi-family triple-deckers
💡Brockton High School is one of largest in region—offers programs small towns can't match
💡IB program is rigorous and prestigious—not widely known outside the city
💡Commuter rail to South Station takes 45-50 minutes
💡Property taxes ~$12.11 per $1K (moderate for the area)
💡City has high-rise buildings and major infrastructure—true urban center
💡Cultural festivals (Cape Verdean, Haitian) are incredible
💡Crime is real but neighborhood-specific—do your research
💡One of last places in Greater Boston where $450K buys a real house
💡Investor-friendly market—inventory moves fast
💡Historic "City of Champions" nickname from boxing heritage (Rocky Marciano)

Demographics

Population

105,643

Median Age

36.2

Median Income

$68,000

Source: Census ACS 2022 5-year estimates

Is Brockton Safe?

Below Average - Higher crime rates typical for urban gateway cities

Violent Crime Rate

4.2

per 1,000 residents

MA average: ~3.4 per 1,000

Property Crime Rate

18.5

per 1,000 residents

MA average: ~15 per 1,000

Source: FBI (2024)

Economic Profile

Remote Work

8.2%

work from home

Professional Workers

32.4%

knowledge economy

Broadband Access

85.2%

digital infrastructure

Median Commute

39 min

to work

Rental Cost Burden

58.3%

pay >30% on rent

Homeownership

58.2%

owner-occupied

Poverty Rate

16.2%

below poverty line

Unemployment

6.8%

of labor force

Median Home Value

$450K

Census estimate

Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship

Churches

Synagogues

Mosques

🌟 Multi-faith community with diverse religious traditions(Diversity Score: 72/100)

Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 1825• 8 established before 1900

Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built

1950

76 years old

Pre-1940 Construction

12.5%

Lower risk

Post-2000 Construction

15.2%

Modern housing stock

Est. Annual Insurance

$2,800

Based on housing age

Moderate Insurance Risk

Median home built in 1950. Insurance premiums estimated at $2,800/year. Some older homes may require system updates (electrical, plumbing, HVAC).

Insurance Cost Calculator

Estimate your annual homeowners insurance premium

Home Value

$225,000$450,000$900,000

Year Built (Optional)

Leave blank to use town median (1950)

Annual Premium

$2,200

$183/month

vs. State Average

+10%

MA avg: $2,008/year

Risk Category

HIGH

Based on home age

30-Year Mortgage Impact

$66,000

Total insurance cost over 30-year mortgage (equivalent to 0.5% of home value)

Age Penalty

This home costs $589 more per year to insure than a newly built home. Over 30 years, that's $17,670 in additional insurance costs.

Ways to Lower Your Premium

Bundle home + auto insurance with same carrier (10-25% discount)
Increase deductible from $500 to $2,500 (save 15-30%)
Install monitored security system (5-20% discount)
Update electrical panel and remove knob-and-tube wiring
Replace roof with impact-resistant materials (save 5-15%)
Upgrade plumbing to PEX or copper
Complete full home inspection and address major issues
Consider MAPFRE or Chubb for historic home coverage

* Estimates based on Massachusetts state averages and typical underwriting criteria. Actual premiums vary by carrier, coverage limits, deductible, claims history, and credit score. For accurate quotes, contact a licensed insurance agent.