Chester, MA vs North Eastham, MA

The cost of living difference between Chester, MA and North Eastham, MA is dramatic. Chester is 39.8% cheaper than North Eastham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chester has a cost index of 84 while North Eastham sits at 140, 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 $1,653/month in North Eastham — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chester is more affordable at $203,300 median vs $641,200.

Median household income in Chester is $86,042 compared to $80,375 in North Eastham (+7.1%). 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 24.7% in North Eastham.

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