Arlington, MA vs Somerset, MA

The cost of living difference between Arlington, MA and Somerset, MA is dramatic. Somerset is 61.4% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 173 while Somerset sits at 107, 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 $1,313/month in Somerset — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Somerset is more affordable at $389,400 median vs $885,000.

Median household income in Arlington is $141,440 compared to $111,720 in Somerset (+26.6%). Arlington does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in Somerset.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.5°F vs 50.4°F). Somerset receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 42.6" in Arlington.