Malden, MA vs Reading, MA

Malden, MA and Reading, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Malden scores 151 while Reading scores 152 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 Malden is $2,066/month compared to $1,722/month in Reading — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Reading has cheaper rent, Malden actually has lower median home values ($607,500 vs $741,100).

Median household income in Malden is $95,298 compared to $163,725 in Reading (-41.8%). While Reading is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Malden spend roughly 26% of their income on rent, more than the 12.6% in Reading.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 49.9°F). Reading receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Malden.