Burlington, MA vs Chicopee, MA

The cost of living difference between Burlington, MA and Chicopee, MA is dramatic. Chicopee is 95.4% cheaper than Burlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burlington has a cost index of 173 while Chicopee sits at 89, 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 Burlington is $2,597/month compared to $1,108/month in Chicopee — a 134% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chicopee is more affordable at $251,800 median vs $679,400.

Median household income in Burlington is $142,207 compared to $66,927 in Chicopee (+112.5%). While Burlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, more than the 19.9% in Chicopee.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.5°F vs 49.4°F). Chicopee receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 42.6" in Burlington.