Marblehead, MA vs Plymouth, MA

The cost of living difference between Marblehead, MA and Plymouth, MA is dramatic. Plymouth is 33.1% cheaper than Marblehead, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Marblehead has a cost index of 167 while Plymouth sits at 125, 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 Marblehead is $1,769/month compared to $1,701/month in Plymouth — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Plymouth is more affordable at $426,000 median vs $906,200.

Median household income in Marblehead is $165,859 compared to $72,639 in Plymouth (+128.3%). While Marblehead is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Marblehead spend roughly 12.8% of their income on rent, less than the 28.1% in Plymouth.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 50°F). Plymouth receives more rainfall at 48" per year compared to 44.9" in Marblehead.