Chatham, MA vs Rockport, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Rockport is 26.9% cheaper than Chatham. With a cost index of 152 vs 192, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Rockport to Chatham should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chatham is $924/month compared to $1,848/month in Rockport — a 50% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chatham has cheaper rent, Rockport actually has lower median home values ($694,300 vs $1,550,000).

Median household income in Chatham is $82,269 compared to $86,250 in Rockport (-4.6%). Rockport 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 25.7% in Rockport.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 49.9°F). Chatham receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 44.9" in Rockport.