North Adams, MA vs Walpole, MA

The cost of living difference between North Adams, MA and Walpole, MA is dramatic. North Adams is 50.6% cheaper than Walpole, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. North Adams has a cost index of 71 while Walpole sits at 145, 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 North Adams is $777/month compared to $1,952/month in Walpole — a 60% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Adams is more affordable at $185,300 median vs $572,000.

Median household income in North Adams is $48,521 compared to $132,411 in Walpole (-63.4%). While Walpole is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of North Adams spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.7% in Walpole.

Climate-wise, Walpole is notably warmer with an average of 52°F compared to 46.9°F in North Adams. Walpole receives more rainfall at 43.9" per year compared to 42.3" in North Adams.