Brookline, MA vs Melrose, MA

The cost of living difference between Brookline, MA and Melrose, MA is dramatic. Melrose is 38.3% cheaper than Brookline, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookline has a cost index of 225 while Melrose sits at 163, 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 $1,933/month in Melrose — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Melrose is more affordable at $796,100 median vs $1,233,100.

Median household income in Brookline is $140,631 compared to $126,854 in Melrose (+10.9%). Brookline does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookline spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 18.3% in Melrose.

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