Athol, MA vs Westborough, MA

The cost of living difference between Athol, MA and Westborough, MA is dramatic. Athol is 32.1% cheaper than Westborough, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Athol has a cost index of 86 while Westborough sits at 126, 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 $1,503/month in Westborough — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Athol is more affordable at $227,000 median vs $540,600.

Median household income in Athol is $61,742 compared to $100,037 in Westborough (-38.3%). While Westborough 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 18% in Westborough.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 48.1°F). Westborough receives more rainfall at 48.3" per year compared to 42.2" in Athol.