Fall River, MA vs Salem, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fall River is 27% cheaper than Salem. With a cost index of 98 vs 134, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fall River to Salem should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fall River is $1,086/month compared to $1,800/month in Salem — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fall River is more affordable at $357,800 median vs $497,400.

Median household income in Fall River is $53,933 compared to $85,137 in Salem (-36.7%). While Salem is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fall River spend roughly 24.2% of their income on rent, less than the 25.4% in Salem.

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