Swampscott, MA vs Westfield, MA

The cost of living difference between Swampscott, MA and Westfield, MA is dramatic. Westfield is 79.1% cheaper than Swampscott, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Swampscott has a cost index of 163 while Westfield sits at 91, 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 $1,064/month in Westfield — a 109% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Westfield is more affordable at $295,500 median vs $690,800.

Median household income in Swampscott is $128,964 compared to $82,847 in Westfield (+55.7%). The higher salaries in Swampscott partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Swampscott spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, more than the 15.4% in Westfield.

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