Gloucester, MA vs Somerville, MA

The cost of living difference between Gloucester, MA and Somerville, MA is dramatic. Gloucester is 31% cheaper than Somerville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gloucester has a cost index of 129 while Somerville sits at 187, 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 Gloucester is $1,395/month compared to $2,468/month in Somerville — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gloucester is more affordable at $587,800 median vs $899,400.

Median household income in Gloucester is $87,898 compared to $127,056 in Somerville (-30.8%). The higher salaries in Somerville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Gloucester spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, less than the 23.3% in Somerville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 51.9°F). Gloucester receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Somerville.