Brookline, MA vs Springfield, MA

The cost of living difference between Brookline, MA and Springfield, MA is dramatic. Springfield is 160.3% cheaper than Brookline, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookline has a cost index of 225 while Springfield sits at 86, 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 $1,114/month in Springfield — a 152% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Springfield is more affordable at $222,700 median vs $1,233,100.

Median household income in Brookline is $140,631 compared to $51,339 in Springfield (+173.9%). While Brookline is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookline spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, less than the 26% in Springfield.

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