| Index | Framingham | Massachusetts | National |
| Cost of living | 145 | 131 | 100 |
| Groceries | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 216 | 169 | 100 |
| Transportation | 117 | 115 | 100 |
| Utilities | 115 | 117 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 112 | 115 | 100 |
| Household Items | 111 | 109 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 123 | 127 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Framingham is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Framingham is 145, which is 45% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Framingham may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Framingham falls within this bracket.
Housing costs significantly influence the Framingham cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 116.3%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Recurring household expenses such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics are a steady part of monthly spending and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Framingham, these everyday items will cost you 11.2% more than average, making it a slightly more expensive place to call home.
Wondering if Framingham is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Framingham, for example, the median home price is 145.1% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 49% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Framingham boasting a median household income of $126,158, which is 55.1% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Framingham, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.25%, and income tax rates start at 5%.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Framingham, healthcare costs are 13.2% higher than the national average.
The Framingham cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $186,669 | $15,556 | $4,355 | $5,601 |
| Renters | $81,991 | $6,833 | $1,913 | $2,460 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Massachusetts | 5% | 9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Clinton, MA | 7,222 | 119 | 19.0% |
| South Lancaster, MA | 1,628 | 119 | 19.1% |
| Bellingham, MA | 4,383 | 126 | 26.4% |
| Hopedale, MA | 3,750 | 128 | 27.8% |
| Milford, MA | 26,685 | 128 | 28.5% |
| Framingham, MA | 74,706 | 145 | 44.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Southfield, MI | 74,641 | 97 | 2.8% |
| Dale City, VA | 74,814 | 126 | 26.2% |
| Albany, GA | 74,905 | 88 | 12.2% |
| Sarnia, ON | 74,477 | n/a | |
| New Britain, CT | 74,963 | 104 | 4.4% |
| Framingham, MA | 74,706 | 145 | 44.5% |
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