Great Barrington, MA vs Spencer, MA

Spencer is moderately more affordable than Great Barrington, with a 13.7% lower cost of living index. Great Barrington scores 105 compared to 92 for Spencer, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Great Barrington can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Great Barrington is $1,142/month compared to $1,052/month in Spencer — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Spencer is more affordable at $297,700 median vs $459,000.

Median household income in Great Barrington is $57,071 compared to $59,618 in Spencer (-4.3%). Spencer offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Great Barrington spend roughly 24% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Spencer.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.1°F vs 48.1°F). Spencer receives more rainfall at 48.3" per year compared to 44.2" in Great Barrington.