Bellingham, MA vs Essex, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Bellingham is 15.8% cheaper than Essex. With a cost index of 131 vs 155, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Bellingham to Essex should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellingham is $1,995/month compared to $1,750/month in Essex — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Essex has cheaper rent, Bellingham actually has lower median home values ($385,300 vs $774,400).

Median household income in Bellingham is $88,731 compared to $156,094 in Essex (-43.2%). While Essex is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellingham spend roughly 27% of their income on rent, more than the 13.5% in Essex.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52°F vs 49.9°F). Essex receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 43.9" in Bellingham.