Brockton at a glance
- Population: 104,890 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 6th-largest of 54 places in Massachusetts.
- 2020 Census base: 105,659 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.7% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Massachusetts places: the 6th-largest of 54 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: roughly 89% of places in Massachusetts rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 42.0825 / -71.0246, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Boston, MA (18 mi); Cambridge, MA (21 mi); Providence, RI (27 mi); Lowell, MA (41 mi); Worcester, MA (42 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Randolph Town, MA (7 mi); Bridgewater Town, MA (8 mi); Braintree Town, MA (9 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Brockton
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Massachusetts lending rules that apply in Brockton
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Brockton: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Division of Banks (Office of the Commissioner of Banks) Source says: "The Division of Banks (DOB) cautions you when applying for a payday loan" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan rate order | Maximum 23% per annum plus a $20 administrative fee (209 CMR 26.00/26.01) Source says: "Regulation 209 CMR 26.00 et seq. limits the annual interest rate that can be charged on small loans to 23%" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 20% per annum criminal-usury threshold (M.G.L. c. 271, § 49); statutory exceptions apply Source says: "interest and expenses the aggregate of which exceeds an amount greater than twenty per centum per annum upon the sum loaned" | Massachusetts General Court as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Restricted: DOB states payday lending is not prohibited, but a 'payday loan' is illegal due to the high APR Source says: "Payday lending is not prohibited in Massachusetts. Yet what is referred to as a 'payday loan' is illegal" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Small-loan license required for loans of $6,000 or less when interest and expenses exceed 12% per year (M.G.L. c. 140, § 96) Source says: "No person shall directly or indirectly engage in the business of making loans of six thousand dollars or less ... without first obtaining ... a license" | Massachusetts General Court as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Brockton
A few practical steps will make the process in Brockton less costly:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Massachusetts using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.