Holbrook, MA vs Needham, MA

The cost of living difference between Holbrook, MA and Needham, MA is dramatic. Holbrook is 41.4% cheaper than Needham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Holbrook has a cost index of 121 while Needham sits at 206, 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 Holbrook is $1,522/month compared to $2,412/month in Needham — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Holbrook is more affordable at $436,500 median vs $1,146,000.

Median household income in Holbrook is $107,768 compared to $212,241 in Needham (-49.2%). While Needham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Holbrook spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, more than the 13.6% in Needham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 52°F). Holbrook receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 43.9" in Needham.