Barre, MA vs Rowley, MA

Barre, MA and Rowley, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Barre scores 120 while Rowley scores 122 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Barre is $1,906/month compared to $1,100/month in Rowley — a 73% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rowley has cheaper rent, Barre actually has lower median home values ($313,100 vs $615,500).

Median household income in Barre is $55,625 compared to $106,250 in Rowley (-47.6%). While Rowley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Barre spend roughly 41.1% of their income on rent, more than the 12.4% in Rowley. The Rowley 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 49.9°F). Rowley receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 42.2" in Barre.