Dedham, MA vs Malden, MA

Dedham, MA and Malden, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. Dedham scores 153 while Malden scores 151 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 Dedham is $2,058/month compared to $2,066/month in Malden — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Dedham has cheaper rent, Malden actually has lower median home values ($607,500 vs $630,400).

Median household income in Dedham is $124,375 compared to $95,298 in Malden (+30.5%). While Dedham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Dedham spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, less than the 26% in Malden.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52°F vs 51.9°F). Dedham receives more rainfall at 43.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Malden.