Burlington, MA vs Haverhill, MA

The cost of living difference between Burlington, MA and Haverhill, MA is dramatic. Haverhill is 41% cheaper than Burlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burlington has a cost index of 173 while Haverhill sits at 123, 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 $1,620/month in Haverhill — a 60% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Haverhill is more affordable at $426,900 median vs $679,400.

Median household income in Burlington is $142,207 compared to $87,675 in Haverhill (+62.2%). 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, less than the 22.2% in Haverhill.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.5°F vs 50.1°F). Burlington receives more rainfall at 42.6" per year compared to 40.9" in Haverhill.