Chatham, MA vs Russell, MA

The cost of living difference between Chatham, MA and Russell, MA is dramatic. Russell is 129% cheaper than Chatham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chatham has a cost index of 192 while Russell sits at 84, 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 $881/month in Russell — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Russell is more affordable at $280,000 median vs $1,550,000.

Median household income in Chatham is $82,269 compared to $103,456 in Russell (-20.5%). Russell 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, more than the 10.2% in Russell.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 49.4°F). Russell receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 45.2" in Chatham.