Brookline, MA vs Saugus, MA

The cost of living difference between Brookline, MA and Saugus, MA is dramatic. Saugus is 52.8% cheaper than Brookline, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookline has a cost index of 225 while Saugus sits at 147, 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 $1,982/month in Saugus — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Saugus is more affordable at $589,500 median vs $1,233,100.

Median household income in Brookline is $140,631 compared to $100,819 in Saugus (+39.5%). 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 23.6% in Saugus.

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