Brookline, MA vs Northampton, MA

The cost of living difference between Brookline, MA and Northampton, MA is dramatic. Northampton is 102.1% cheaper than Brookline, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookline has a cost index of 225 while Northampton sits at 111, 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 $1,404/month in Northampton — a 100% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Northampton is more affordable at $398,000 median vs $1,233,100.

Median household income in Brookline is $140,631 compared to $78,467 in Northampton (+79.2%). 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 21.5% in Northampton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 49.4°F). Northampton receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 43.6" in Brookline.