Barre, MA vs Hatfield, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hatfield is 20.3% cheaper than Barre. With a cost index of 99 vs 120, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hatfield to Barre should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Barre is $1,906/month compared to $846/month in Hatfield — a 125% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hatfield has cheaper rent, Barre actually has lower median home values ($313,100 vs $460,300).

Median household income in Barre is $55,625 compared to $109,625 in Hatfield (-49.3%). Hatfield offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Barre spend roughly 41.1% of their income on rent, more than the 9.3% in Hatfield. The Hatfield ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.3°F vs 49.4°F). Hatfield receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 42.2" in Barre.