Belmont, MA vs Brookline, MA

Belmont is moderately more affordable than Brookline, with a 10.2% lower cost of living index. Belmont scores 202 compared to 225 for Brookline, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Brookline can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Belmont is $2,387/month compared to $2,804/month in Brookline — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belmont is more affordable at $1,108,800 median vs $1,233,100.

Median household income in Belmont is $178,188 compared to $140,631 in Brookline (+26.7%). Belmont offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Belmont spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in Brookline.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.5°F vs 51.9°F). Brookline receives more rainfall at 43.6" per year compared to 42.6" in Belmont.