Andover, MA vs Gardner, MA

The cost of living difference between Andover, MA and Gardner, MA is dramatic. Gardner is 55.1% cheaper than Andover, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Andover has a cost index of 141 while Gardner sits at 91, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Andover is $1,422/month compared to $1,071/month in Gardner — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gardner is more affordable at $271,300 median vs $719,900.

Median household income in Andover is $127,054 compared to $62,948 in Gardner (+101.8%). While Andover is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Andover spend roughly 13.4% of their income on rent, less than the 20.4% in Gardner.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.1°F vs 48.9°F). Gardner receives more rainfall at 43.4" per year compared to 40.9" in Andover.