Housatonic, MA vs Ocean Grove, MA

Housatonic, MA and Ocean Grove, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4% difference in their overall index. Housatonic scores 106 while Ocean Grove scores 102 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 Housatonic is $1,259/month compared to $1,278/month in Ocean Grove — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Housatonic has cheaper rent, Ocean Grove actually has lower median home values ($337,800 vs $429,200).

Median household income in Housatonic is $86,920 compared to $97,109 in Ocean Grove (-10.5%). Ocean Grove offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Housatonic spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, more than the 15.8% in Ocean Grove.

Climate-wise, Ocean Grove is notably warmer with an average of 52.1°F compared to 46.1°F in Housatonic. Ocean Grove receives more rainfall at 47.5" per year compared to 44.2" in Housatonic.