Fitchburg, MA vs Swampscott, MA

The cost of living difference between Fitchburg, MA and Swampscott, MA is dramatic. Fitchburg is 41.9% cheaper than Swampscott, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fitchburg has a cost index of 95 while Swampscott sits at 163, 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 Fitchburg is $1,131/month compared to $2,223/month in Swampscott — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fitchburg is more affordable at $295,500 median vs $690,800.

Median household income in Fitchburg is $70,659 compared to $128,964 in Swampscott (-45.2%). While Swampscott is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fitchburg spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, less than the 20.7% in Swampscott.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.9°F vs 49.9°F). Swampscott receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 43.4" in Fitchburg.