Swampscott, MA vs Ware, MA

The cost of living difference between Swampscott, MA and Ware, MA is dramatic. Ware is 88% cheaper than Swampscott, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Swampscott has a cost index of 163 while Ware sits at 87, 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 Swampscott is $2,223/month compared to $1,046/month in Ware — a 113% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ware is more affordable at $229,700 median vs $690,800.

Median household income in Swampscott is $128,964 compared to $52,039 in Ware (+147.8%). 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 Swampscott spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, less than the 24.1% in Ware.

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