Swampscott, MA vs Walpole, MA

Walpole is moderately more affordable than Swampscott, with a 12.4% lower cost of living index. Swampscott scores 163 compared to 145 for Walpole, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Swampscott can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Swampscott is $2,223/month compared to $1,952/month in Walpole — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Walpole is more affordable at $572,000 median vs $690,800.

Median household income in Swampscott is $128,964 compared to $132,411 in Walpole (-2.6%). Walpole offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Swampscott spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.7% in Walpole.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 52°F). Swampscott receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 43.9" in Walpole.