Andover, MA vs Stoneham, MA

Andover, MA and Stoneham, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Andover scores 141 while Stoneham scores 147 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Andover is $1,422/month compared to $1,878/month in Stoneham — a 24% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Andover has cheaper rent, Stoneham actually has lower median home values ($629,000 vs $719,900).

Median household income in Andover is $127,054 compared to $112,635 in Stoneham (+12.8%). Andover offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Andover spend roughly 13.4% of their income on rent, less than the 20% in Stoneham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.1°F vs 51.9°F). Stoneham receives more rainfall at 43.6" per year compared to 40.9" in Andover.