Athol, MA vs Dedham, MA

The cost of living difference between Athol, MA and Dedham, MA is dramatic. Athol is 44% cheaper than Dedham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Athol has a cost index of 86 while Dedham sits at 153, 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 Athol is $1,018/month compared to $2,058/month in Dedham — a 51% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Athol is more affordable at $227,000 median vs $630,400.

Median household income in Athol is $61,742 compared to $124,375 in Dedham (-50.4%). While Dedham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Athol spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, less than the 19.9% in Dedham.

Climate-wise, Dedham is notably warmer with an average of 52°F compared to 48.3°F in Athol. Dedham receives more rainfall at 43.9" per year compared to 42.2" in Athol.