Brookline, MA vs Wellesley, MA

Brookline is moderately more affordable than Wellesley, with a 9.8% lower cost of living index. Brookline scores 225 compared to 249 for Wellesley, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Wellesley can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Brookline is $2,804/month compared to $2,849/month in Wellesley — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brookline is more affordable at $1,233,100 median vs $1,513,400.

Median household income in Brookline is $140,631 compared to $250,001 in Wellesley (-43.7%). While Wellesley 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, more than the 13.7% in Wellesley.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 52°F). Wellesley receives more rainfall at 43.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Brookline.