Chatham, MA vs Marshfield, MA

The cost of living difference between Chatham, MA and Marshfield, MA is dramatic. Marshfield is 43.5% cheaper than Chatham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chatham has a cost index of 192 while Marshfield sits at 134, 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 Chatham is $924/month compared to $1,398/month in Marshfield — a 34% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chatham has cheaper rent, Marshfield actually has lower median home values ($646,400 vs $1,550,000).

Median household income in Chatham is $82,269 compared to $99,537 in Marshfield (-17.3%). Marshfield offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chatham spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 16.9% in Marshfield.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 50°F). Marshfield receives more rainfall at 48" per year compared to 45.2" in Chatham.