Orleans, MA vs Wilbraham, MA

Wilbraham is moderately more affordable than Orleans, with a 12.2% lower cost of living index. Orleans scores 111 compared to 99 for Wilbraham, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Orleans can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Orleans is $960/month compared to $1,148/month in Wilbraham — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Orleans has cheaper rent, Wilbraham actually has lower median home values ($361,600 vs $542,500).

Median household income in Orleans is $76,768 compared to $88,409 in Wilbraham (-13.2%). Wilbraham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Orleans spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, less than the 15.6% in Wilbraham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 49.4°F). Wilbraham receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 45.2" in Orleans.