Melrose, MA vs Somerville, MA

Melrose is moderately more affordable than Somerville, with a 13.2% lower cost of living index. Melrose scores 163 compared to 187 for Somerville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Somerville can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Melrose is $1,933/month compared to $2,468/month in Somerville — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Melrose is more affordable at $796,100 median vs $899,400.

Median household income in Melrose is $126,854 compared to $127,056 in Somerville (-0.2%). Somerville does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Melrose spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 23.3% in Somerville.

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