Medford, MA vs Northampton, MA

The cost of living difference between Medford, MA and Northampton, MA is dramatic. Northampton is 55.1% cheaper than Medford, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Medford has a cost index of 172 while Northampton sits at 111, 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 Medford is $2,477/month compared to $1,404/month in Northampton — a 76% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Northampton is more affordable at $398,000 median vs $715,500.

Median household income in Medford is $118,089 compared to $78,467 in Northampton (+50.5%). The higher salaries in Medford partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Medford spend roughly 25.2% of their income on rent, more than the 21.5% in Northampton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 49.4°F). Northampton receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 43.6" in Medford.