Needham, MA vs South Yarmouth, MA

The cost of living difference between Needham, MA and South Yarmouth, MA is dramatic. South Yarmouth is 63.4% cheaper than Needham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Needham has a cost index of 206 while South Yarmouth sits at 126, 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 Needham is $2,412/month compared to $1,665/month in South Yarmouth — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: South Yarmouth is more affordable at $465,100 median vs $1,146,000.

Median household income in Needham is $212,241 compared to $79,638 in South Yarmouth (+166.5%). While Needham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Needham spend roughly 13.6% of their income on rent, less than the 25.1% in South Yarmouth.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52°F vs 51.5°F). South Yarmouth receives more rainfall at 44.7" per year compared to 43.9" in Needham.