Brookline, MA vs Gloucester, MA

The cost of living difference between Brookline, MA and Gloucester, MA is dramatic. Gloucester is 74.1% cheaper than Brookline, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookline has a cost index of 225 while Gloucester sits at 129, 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 $1,395/month in Gloucester — a 101% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gloucester is more affordable at $587,800 median vs $1,233,100.

Median household income in Brookline is $140,631 compared to $87,898 in Gloucester (+60%). The higher salaries in Brookline partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookline spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 19% in Gloucester.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 49.9°F). Gloucester receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Brookline.