Brookline, MA vs Quincy, MA

The cost of living difference between Brookline, MA and Quincy, MA is dramatic. Quincy is 51.6% cheaper than Brookline, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookline has a cost index of 225 while Quincy sits at 148, 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 $1,998/month in Quincy — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Quincy is more affordable at $598,100 median vs $1,233,100.

Median household income in Brookline is $140,631 compared to $95,711 in Quincy (+46.9%). 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, less than the 25.1% in Quincy.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 49.7°F). Quincy receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 43.6" in Brookline.