Cost of Living in Townsend, MA

With a cost of living index of 96, Townsend, MA is slightly more affordable than average. Living here is 4% cheaper than the national average and 34% below the Massachusetts state average of 129. Townsend is a small community of 1,082 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Townsend's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $947 (28% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $344,400 (13% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.1x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Townsend is $56,726, which is 25% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 20% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to Townsend. The area sees an average annual temperature of 48.9°F, with summers averaging 70°F and winters around 28°F. Annual rainfall totals 43.4 inches spread over roughly 138 days. Cold winters mean higher heating bills, an important cost-of-living consideration.

Everyday prices in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.