Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Brockton and Fall River, Massachusetts. Using Massachusetts's 1.2% property tax rate and $2,200/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Fall River edges out Brockton in affordability, saving you roughly $423/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in Massachusetts, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Massachusetts's 1.2% property tax rate.
Buying in Fall River saves you approximately $423/month ($5,076/year) compared to Brockton, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Fall River is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $365K versus $425K in Brockton. That's $60K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $13K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Fall River, compared to $15K in Brockton. Massachusetts offers the MassHousing DPA program (Up to $50,000 DPA loan) which applies in both cities.
Fall River has the better price-to-rent ratio at 20.6x versus 20.6x in Brockton. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Fall River is $1,480/month on a $365K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Brockton (pop. 105,643) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Fall River (pop. 93,885) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer Fall River, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.