Framingham, MA vs Lexington, MA

The cost of living difference between Framingham, MA and Lexington, MA is dramatic. Framingham is 34% cheaper than Lexington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Framingham has a cost index of 144 while Lexington sits at 218, 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 Framingham is $1,853/month compared to $2,816/month in Lexington — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Framingham is more affordable at $600,600 median vs $1,147,900.

Median household income in Framingham is $98,179 compared to $219,402 in Lexington (-55.3%). While Lexington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Framingham spend roughly 22.6% of their income on rent, more than the 15.4% in Lexington.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.5°F vs 50.5°F). Lexington receives more rainfall at 42.6" per year compared to 42.6" in Framingham.