Barnstable Town, MA vs Gardner, MA

The cost of living difference between Barnstable Town, MA and Gardner, MA is dramatic. Gardner is 50.1% cheaper than Barnstable Town, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barnstable Town has a cost index of 136 while Gardner sits at 91, 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 $1,071/month in Gardner — a 64% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gardner is more affordable at $271,300 median vs $559,200.

Median household income in Barnstable Town is $97,348 compared to $62,948 in Gardner (+54.6%). While Barnstable Town is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Barnstable Town spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, more than the 20.4% in Gardner.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.5°F vs 48.9°F). Barnstable Town receives more rainfall at 44.7" per year compared to 43.4" in Gardner.