Haverhill, MA vs Lawrence, MA

Haverhill, MA and Lawrence, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Haverhill scores 123 while Lawrence scores 118 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Haverhill is $1,620/month compared to $1,569/month in Lawrence — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lawrence is more affordable at $393,500 median vs $426,900.

Median household income in Haverhill is $87,675 compared to $57,903 in Lawrence (+51.4%). While Haverhill is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Haverhill spend roughly 22.2% of their income on rent, less than the 32.5% in Lawrence. The Haverhill ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.1°F vs 50.1°F). Lawrence receives more rainfall at 40.9" per year compared to 40.9" in Haverhill.