Brookline, MA vs Reading, MA

The cost of living difference between Brookline, MA and Reading, MA is dramatic. Reading is 48.3% cheaper than Brookline, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookline has a cost index of 225 while Reading sits at 152, 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 $1,722/month in Reading — a 63% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Reading is more affordable at $741,100 median vs $1,233,100.

Median household income in Brookline is $140,631 compared to $163,725 in Reading (-14.1%). Reading offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookline spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 12.6% in Reading.

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