Malden, MA vs Wellesley, MA

The cost of living difference between Malden, MA and Wellesley, MA is dramatic. Malden is 39.3% cheaper than Wellesley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Malden has a cost index of 151 while Wellesley sits at 249, 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 Malden is $2,066/month compared to $2,849/month in Wellesley — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Malden is more affordable at $607,500 median vs $1,513,400.

Median household income in Malden is $95,298 compared to $250,001 in Wellesley (-61.9%). While Wellesley 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 13.7% in Wellesley.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 52°F). Wellesley receives more rainfall at 43.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Malden.