Chatham, MA vs Williamstown, MA

The cost of living difference between Chatham, MA and Williamstown, MA is dramatic. Williamstown is 81% cheaper than Chatham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chatham has a cost index of 192 while Williamstown sits at 106, 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 $1,244/month in Williamstown — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chatham has cheaper rent, Williamstown actually has lower median home values ($436,900 vs $1,550,000).

Median household income in Chatham is $82,269 compared to $82,917 in Williamstown (-0.8%). Williamstown 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 18% in Williamstown.

Climate-wise, Chatham is notably warmer with an average of 50.9°F compared to 46.9°F in Williamstown. Chatham receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 42.3" in Williamstown.