Arlington, MA vs Lawrence, MA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, MA and Lawrence, MA is dramatic. Lawrence is 46.2% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 173 while Lawrence sits at 118, 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 Arlington is $2,043/month compared to $1,569/month in Lawrence — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lawrence is more affordable at $393,500 median vs $885,000.

Median household income in Arlington is $141,440 compared to $57,903 in Lawrence (+144.3%). While Arlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 32.5% in Lawrence. The Arlington ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.5°F vs 50.1°F). Arlington receives more rainfall at 42.6" per year compared to 40.9" in Lawrence.