Brookline, MA vs Fall River, MA

The cost of living difference between Brookline, MA and Fall River, MA is dramatic. Fall River is 129.8% cheaper than Brookline, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookline has a cost index of 225 while Fall River sits at 98, 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 Brookline is $2,804/month compared to $1,086/month in Fall River — a 158% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fall River is more affordable at $357,800 median vs $1,233,100.

Median household income in Brookline is $140,631 compared to $53,933 in Fall River (+160.8%). While Brookline is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookline spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Fall River.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.4°F). Fall River receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Brookline.