Arlington, MA vs Longmeadow, MA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, MA and Longmeadow, MA is dramatic. Longmeadow is 45.2% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 173 while Longmeadow sits at 119, 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 $1,650/month in Longmeadow — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Longmeadow is more affordable at $425,800 median vs $885,000.

Median household income in Arlington is $141,440 compared to $144,639 in Longmeadow (-2.2%). Longmeadow offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 13.7% in Longmeadow.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.5°F vs 51°F). Longmeadow receives more rainfall at 47.1" per year compared to 42.6" in Arlington.