F
39%
Overall NAT. AVG.
22%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
86%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Marlborough Massachusetts National
Cost of living139133100
Goods & Services122122100
Groceries105105100
Health care113113100
Housing186165100
Transportation118118100
Utilities134134100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Marlborough, MA

Knowing the cost of living in Marlborough allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Marlborough stands at 139, marking it 39% higher than the national average.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Marlborough may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Marlborough falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Marlborough cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 85.8% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Marlborough goods and services are 21.6% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

Is Marlborough Affordable?

Is Marlborough affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Marlborough, for instance, where the median home price falls 97.7% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 57.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Marlborough flaunting a median household income of $83,469, 50.9% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Marlborough?

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

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 Marlborough, healthcare costs are 12.9% higher than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Marlborough, the housing index is 85.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Marlborough displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Marlborough is 5% higher than the Massachusetts average
  • The cost of living in Marlborough is 39% higher than the national average
  • Marlborough housing is 86% higher than the national average
  • Massachusetts general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Massachusetts state income tax is 93% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Marlborough

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Compare Marlborough, MA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$105,412$8,784$2,459$3,163
      Renters$52,729$4,394$1,230$1,582
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Marlborough, MA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Marlborough homeowners, is $105,412. This would allow for a maximum of $2,459 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $52,729 which would result in a maximum of $1,230 to be spent on rental costs.

      Massachusetts Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Massachusetts 6.25% 6.25%

      Massachusetts Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Massachusetts 5% 9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Marlborough National avg. Difference
      Haircut $43.72$24.2680.2%
      Beauty Salon $65.56$45.5643.9%
      Toothpaste $3.53$3.704.7%
      Shampoo $1.49$1.2816.4%
      Movie $15.49$12.1327.6%
      Bowling $29.33$18.0063.0%

      Groceries

      Item Marlborough National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.48$5.846.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.45$1.578.0%
      Milk $4.76$4.671.9%
      Potatoes $4.99$4.931.1%
      Pizza $12.52$12.093.6%
      Beer $10.21$10.411.9%

      Health Care

      Item Marlborough National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $123.17$125.682.0%
      Doctor $157.89$135.7816.3%
      Dentist $149.22$113.2931.7%
      Ibuprofen $11.39$10.656.9%
      Lipitor $384.69$468.6017.9%

      Housing

      Item Marlborough National avg. Difference
      Home Price $365,200.00$184,700.0097.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $4,745.89$2,346.69102.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,498.00$949.0057.9%

      Transportation

      Item Marlborough National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.43$3.460.9%
      Tire Balancing $97.39$59.9262.5%

      Utilities

      Item Marlborough National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $302.72$193.9956.0%
      Phone $187.85$192.252.3%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Shirley, MA1,71611918.7%
      Worcester, MA185,18611414.1%
      Leominster, MA41,58112120.8%
      Clinton, MA7,05812323.0%
      South Lancaster, MA1,57512423.8%
      Marlborough, MA39,66313939.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Romeoville, IL39,6441099.1%
      Indian Trail, NC39,64411110.9%
      Crystal Lake, IL39,6851043.7%
      Royal Palm Beach, FL39,61512120.8%
      Sumter, SC39,758937.0%
      Marlborough, MA39,66313939.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.