Holyoke, MA vs Lawrence, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Holyoke is 27.4% cheaper than Lawrence. With a cost index of 86 vs 118, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Holyoke to Lawrence should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Holyoke is $1,016/month compared to $1,569/month in Lawrence — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Holyoke is more affordable at $255,300 median vs $393,500.

Median household income in Holyoke is $51,892 compared to $57,903 in Lawrence (-10.4%). Lawrence does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Holyoke spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, less than the 32.5% in Lawrence. The Holyoke ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 50.1°F). Holyoke receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 40.9" in Lawrence.