Athol, MA vs Wilmington, MA

The cost of living difference between Athol, MA and Wilmington, MA is dramatic. Athol is 48.1% cheaper than Wilmington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Athol has a cost index of 86 while Wilmington sits at 165, 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 $2,412/month in Wilmington — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Athol is more affordable at $227,000 median vs $646,200.

Median household income in Athol is $61,742 compared to $161,473 in Wilmington (-61.8%). While Wilmington 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 17.9% in Wilmington.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 50.5°F). Wilmington receives more rainfall at 42.6" per year compared to 42.2" in Athol.