Haverhill, MA vs Wellesley, MA

The cost of living difference between Haverhill, MA and Wellesley, MA is dramatic. Haverhill is 50.7% cheaper than Wellesley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Haverhill has a cost index of 123 while Wellesley sits at 249, 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 Haverhill is $1,620/month compared to $2,849/month in Wellesley — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Haverhill is more affordable at $426,900 median vs $1,513,400.

Median household income in Haverhill is $87,675 compared to $250,001 in Wellesley (-64.9%). While Wellesley 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, more than the 13.7% in Wellesley.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.1°F vs 52°F). Wellesley receives more rainfall at 43.9" per year compared to 40.9" in Haverhill.