Lawrence, MA vs Taunton, MA

Taunton is moderately more affordable than Lawrence, with a 11.9% lower cost of living index. Lawrence scores 118 compared to 106 for Taunton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lawrence can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lawrence is $1,569/month compared to $1,269/month in Taunton — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Taunton is more affordable at $388,200 median vs $393,500.

Median household income in Lawrence is $57,903 compared to $79,715 in Taunton (-27.4%). Taunton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lawrence spend roughly 32.5% of their income on rent, more than the 19.1% in Taunton. The Taunton 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 50.4°F). Taunton receives more rainfall at 47.6" per year compared to 40.9" in Lawrence.