Bellingham, MA vs Brewster, MA

Bellingham, MA and Brewster, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Bellingham scores 131 while Brewster scores 135 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 Bellingham is $1,995/month compared to $1,316/month in Brewster — a 52% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Brewster has cheaper rent, Bellingham actually has lower median home values ($385,300 vs $702,000).

Median household income in Bellingham is $88,731 compared to $75,481 in Brewster (+17.6%). Bellingham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellingham spend roughly 27% of their income on rent, more than the 20.9% in Brewster.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52°F vs 50.9°F). Brewster receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 43.9" in Bellingham.