Barnstable Town, MA vs Cambridge, MA

The cost of living difference between Barnstable Town, MA and Cambridge, MA is dramatic. Barnstable Town is 34.2% cheaper than Cambridge, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barnstable Town has a cost index of 136 while Cambridge sits at 207, 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 Barnstable Town is $1,751/month compared to $2,742/month in Cambridge — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Barnstable Town is more affordable at $559,200 median vs $1,040,500.

Median household income in Barnstable Town is $97,348 compared to $126,469 in Cambridge (-23%). The higher salaries in Cambridge partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Barnstable Town spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, less than the 26% in Cambridge.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.5°F vs 51.9°F). Barnstable Town receives more rainfall at 44.7" per year compared to 43.6" in Cambridge.