Athol, MA vs Newburyport, MA

The cost of living difference between Athol, MA and Newburyport, MA is dramatic. Athol is 42.8% cheaper than Newburyport, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Athol has a cost index of 86 while Newburyport sits at 149, 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 $1,511/month in Newburyport — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Athol is more affordable at $227,000 median vs $792,400.

Median household income in Athol is $61,742 compared to $144,259 in Newburyport (-57.2%). While Newburyport 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, more than the 12.6% in Newburyport.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 50.1°F). Athol receives more rainfall at 42.2" per year compared to 40.9" in Newburyport.