Chicopee, MA vs Gardner, MA

Chicopee, MA and Gardner, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Chicopee scores 89 while Gardner scores 91 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chicopee is $1,108/month compared to $1,071/month in Gardner — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Gardner has cheaper rent, Chicopee actually has lower median home values ($251,800 vs $271,300).

Median household income in Chicopee is $66,927 compared to $62,948 in Gardner (+6.3%). Chicopee offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chicopee spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, less than the 20.4% in Gardner.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 48.9°F). Chicopee receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 43.4" in Gardner.