Essex, MA vs Rockport, MA

Essex, MA and Rockport, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Essex scores 155 while Rockport scores 152 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 Essex is $1,750/month compared to $1,848/month in Rockport — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Essex has cheaper rent, Rockport actually has lower median home values ($694,300 vs $774,400).

Median household income in Essex is $156,094 compared to $86,250 in Rockport (+81%). 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 25.7% in Rockport.

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