Rowley, MA vs Russell, MA

The cost of living difference between Rowley, MA and Russell, MA is dramatic. Russell is 45.8% cheaper than Rowley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Rowley has a cost index of 122 while Russell sits at 84, 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 Rowley is $1,100/month compared to $881/month in Russell — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Russell is more affordable at $280,000 median vs $615,500.

Median household income in Rowley is $106,250 compared to $103,456 in Russell (+2.7%). Rowley does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Rowley spend roughly 12.4% of their income on rent, more than the 10.2% in Russell.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 49.4°F). Russell receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 44.9" in Rowley.