Belmont, MA vs Malden, MA

The cost of living difference between Belmont, MA and Malden, MA is dramatic. Malden is 33.6% cheaper than Belmont, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Belmont has a cost index of 202 while Malden sits at 151, 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 $2,066/month in Malden — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Malden is more affordable at $607,500 median vs $1,108,800.

Median household income in Belmont is $178,188 compared to $95,298 in Malden (+87%). 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 26% in Malden.

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