Belmont, MA vs Framingham, MA

The cost of living difference between Belmont, MA and Framingham, MA is dramatic. Framingham is 40.2% cheaper than Belmont, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Belmont has a cost index of 202 while Framingham sits at 144, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Belmont is $2,387/month compared to $1,853/month in Framingham — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Framingham is more affordable at $600,600 median vs $1,108,800.

Median household income in Belmont is $178,188 compared to $98,179 in Framingham (+81.5%). While Belmont is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Belmont spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 22.6% in Framingham.

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