North Plymouth, MA vs Rowley, MA

Rowley is moderately more affordable than North Plymouth, with a 6.4% lower cost of living index. North Plymouth scores 130 compared to 122 for Rowley, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of North Plymouth can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in North Plymouth is $1,787/month compared to $1,100/month in Rowley — a 63% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rowley has cheaper rent, North Plymouth actually has lower median home values ($456,600 vs $615,500).

Median household income in North Plymouth is $71,205 compared to $106,250 in Rowley (-33%). Rowley offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of North Plymouth spend roughly 30.1% of their income on rent, more than the 12.4% in Rowley. The Rowley ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50°F vs 49.9°F). North Plymouth receives more rainfall at 48" per year compared to 44.9" in Rowley.