Barnstable Town, MA vs Lawrence, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lawrence is 15% cheaper than Barnstable Town. With a cost index of 118 vs 136, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lawrence to Barnstable Town should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Barnstable Town is $1,751/month compared to $1,569/month in Lawrence — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lawrence is more affordable at $393,500 median vs $559,200.

Median household income in Barnstable Town is $97,348 compared to $57,903 in Lawrence (+68.1%). 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, less than the 32.5% in Lawrence. The Barnstable Town ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.5°F vs 50.1°F). Barnstable Town receives more rainfall at 44.7" per year compared to 40.9" in Lawrence.