Essex, MA vs North Westport, MA

The cost of living difference between Essex, MA and North Westport, MA is dramatic. North Westport is 58.8% cheaper than Essex, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Essex has a cost index of 155 while North Westport sits at 98, 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 Essex is $1,750/month compared to $999/month in North Westport — a 75% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Westport is more affordable at $389,300 median vs $774,400.

Median household income in Essex is $156,094 compared to $85,120 in North Westport (+83.4%). While Essex is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Essex spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 14.1% in North Westport.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 50.4°F). North Westport receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 44.9" in Essex.