Gardner, MA vs Peabody, MA

The cost of living difference between Gardner, MA and Peabody, MA is dramatic. Gardner is 36.4% cheaper than Peabody, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gardner has a cost index of 91 while Peabody sits at 143, 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 Gardner is $1,071/month compared to $1,902/month in Peabody — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gardner is more affordable at $271,300 median vs $566,200.

Median household income in Gardner is $62,948 compared to $95,278 in Peabody (-33.9%). The higher salaries in Peabody partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Gardner spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, less than the 24% in Peabody.

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