Marblehead, MA vs Medford, MA

Marblehead, MA and Medford, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Marblehead scores 167 while Medford scores 172 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 Marblehead is $1,769/month compared to $2,477/month in Medford — a 29% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Marblehead has cheaper rent, Medford actually has lower median home values ($715,500 vs $906,200).

Median household income in Marblehead is $165,859 compared to $118,089 in Medford (+40.5%). Marblehead offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Marblehead spend roughly 12.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.2% in Medford.

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