Athol, MA vs Falmouth, MA

The cost of living difference between Athol, MA and Falmouth, MA is dramatic. Athol is 36.2% cheaper than Falmouth, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Athol has a cost index of 86 while Falmouth sits at 134, 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 $1,175/month in Falmouth — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Athol is more affordable at $227,000 median vs $745,900.

Median household income in Athol is $61,742 compared to $68,267 in Falmouth (-9.6%). Falmouth 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 Athol spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, less than the 20.7% in Falmouth.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 50.2°F). Athol receives more rainfall at 42.2" per year compared to 42.1" in Falmouth.