Here is the comprehensive SEO-Optimized Salary Guide for Brockton, MA.

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Brockton, MA Salary Guide: The Real Cost of Earning $100k

Earning a six-figure salary in Massachusetts feels like a victory until the pay stub hits the kitchen table. In Brockton, the "Rocket City" offers a specific value proposition, but the gap between gross income and net liquidity is the only metric that matters for your financial survival.

This guide breaks down the raw math of a $100,000 salary, stripping away the corporate spin to reveal exactly what you can afford, spend, and save.

The Verification Test ($100,000 Analysis)

The "Sticker Price" of your labor is $100,000. That is the number written in bold on your offer letter. However, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that number is a fiction. It is a pre-tax theoretical maximum, not a reflection of your purchasing power.

Here is the hard data on the liquidity extraction process:

• Gross Income: $100,000
• Federal Tax: -$13,614
• FICA Tax: -$7,650
• Massachusetts State Tax: -$5,000
• Local Tax: $0

The Verification:
When the dust settles, your actual take-home pay is $73,736.

You are losing 26.2% of your gross income to taxation before you pay a single bill. The $5,000 state tax levy is particularly aggressive, acting as a direct drag on your wealth accumulation compared to tax-friendly states. The "Sticker Price" is $100k; the "Verified Reality" is $73,736.

Smart Budget Breakdown (50/30/20 Rule)

With a verified annual take-home of $73,736, your monthly net liquidity is $6,145. We apply the 50/30/20 rule to determine if this salary supports a comfortable lifestyle or if you are living paycheck to paycheck.

1. Needs: $3,072 / Month (50%)

This bucket covers survival: Rent, utilities, groceries, and insurance.

• The Rent Reality: In Brockton, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment hovers between $1,400 and $1,700.
• Purchasing Power: After rent ($1,600 avg), you have roughly $1,472 remaining for utilities, car insurance, gas, and food. This is a tight but manageable margin. You are not priced out, but you are not "balling" on this budget. You have enough room to live comfortably, provided you don't have excessive luxury debt (e.g., a $700 car payment).

2. Wants: $1,843 / Month (30%)

This is your discretionary spending—dining out, streaming services, hobbies, and nightlife.

• Lifestyle Analysis: $1,843 is a robust amount for "fun" in Plymouth County. You can afford weekend trips to Cape Cod, frequent dinners out, and premium subscriptions without anxiety. If you are single, this category feels flush.

3. Savings: $1,229 / Month (20%)

This is the wealth creation engine.

• The Wealth Gap: $1,229/month is a strong savings rate. Over a year, that is $14,748 in pure investments.
• Strategy: Do not treat this as a "leftover" fund. At $100k in Brockton, this $1,229 is the difference between retiring at 65 or 55. It is the only defense against the high tax burden of the state.

Brockton Taxes vs The Competition

To understand the Brockton tax burden, you must compare it to high-cost and high-tax hubs.

Scenario: $100,000 Salary

Location	State Tax	Local Tax	Total Take Home	Monthly Net
Brockton, MA	$5,000	$0	$73,736	$6,145
Austin, TX	$0	$0	$81,350	$6,779
New York City, NY	$5,000+	~$1,200+	$70,000 (est)	~$5,833

The Verdict:
Brockton sits in the middle. It is significantly more expensive to exist here than in Austin, TX, where you would pocket an extra $634 per month ($7,600/year) purely due to tax differences.

However, Brockton is cheaper than NYC. You avoid the crushing NYC local income tax, giving you a roughly $300/month advantage over the five boroughs. You are trading the amenities of a mega-city for a higher tax bill than Texas, but a lower total burden than New York.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the income tax rate in Brockton?
A: Brockton residents pay a flat 5% state income tax to Massachusetts on income over $44,000 (for single filers). There are no additional local city income taxes.

Q: Is $100,000 a good salary in Brockton?
A: Yes. It is well above the city's median household income. It provides a monthly net of $6,145, allowing for comfortable housing, discretionary spending, and aggressive savings. However, due to the $5,000 state tax, it does not feel as "rich" as $100k in a no-tax state.

Q: Does Brockton have a local city tax?
A: No. Based on the data provided, the local tax rate is 0%. You only pay Federal and Massachusetts State taxes.

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• Methodology: Calculations based on 2026 IRS Federal Tax Brackets (Standard Single Filer), fixed FICA (7.65%), and Massachusetts State Tax (5% flat).
• Sources: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Massachusetts Department of Revenue.