Chatham, MA vs North Plymouth, MA

The cost of living difference between Chatham, MA and North Plymouth, MA is dramatic. North Plymouth is 47.7% cheaper than Chatham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chatham has a cost index of 192 while North Plymouth sits at 130, 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 $1,787/month in North Plymouth — a 48% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chatham has cheaper rent, North Plymouth actually has lower median home values ($456,600 vs $1,550,000).

Median household income in Chatham is $82,269 compared to $71,205 in North Plymouth (+15.5%). Chatham does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Chatham spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 30.1% in North Plymouth. The Chatham ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

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