Spencer, MA vs Swampscott, MA

The cost of living difference between Spencer, MA and Swampscott, MA is dramatic. Spencer is 43.2% cheaper than Swampscott, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Spencer has a cost index of 92 while Swampscott sits at 163, 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 Spencer is $1,052/month compared to $2,223/month in Swampscott — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Spencer is more affordable at $297,700 median vs $690,800.

Median household income in Spencer is $59,618 compared to $128,964 in Swampscott (-53.8%). While Swampscott is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Spencer spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, more than the 20.7% in Swampscott.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.1°F vs 49.9°F). Spencer receives more rainfall at 48.3" per year compared to 44.9" in Swampscott.