Melrose, MA vs Taunton, MA

The cost of living difference between Melrose, MA and Taunton, MA is dramatic. Taunton is 53.6% cheaper than Melrose, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Melrose has a cost index of 163 while Taunton sits at 106, 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 Melrose is $1,933/month compared to $1,269/month in Taunton — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Taunton is more affordable at $388,200 median vs $796,100.

Median household income in Melrose is $126,854 compared to $79,715 in Taunton (+59.1%). While Melrose is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Melrose spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in Taunton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.4°F). Taunton receives more rainfall at 47.6" per year compared to 43.6" in Melrose.