Chester, MA vs Harwich Port, MA

The cost of living difference between Chester, MA and Harwich Port, MA is dramatic. Chester is 33.5% cheaper than Harwich Port, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chester has a cost index of 84 while Harwich Port sits at 127, 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 Chester is $1,095/month compared to $1,174/month in Harwich Port — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chester is more affordable at $203,300 median vs $654,900.

Median household income in Chester is $86,042 compared to $64,813 in Harwich Port (+32.8%). Chester offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chester spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 21.7% in Harwich Port.

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