| Index | Saugus | Massachusetts | National |
| Cost of living | 139 | 131 | 100 |
| Groceries | 112 | 109 | 100 |
| Health care | 119 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 194 | 169 | 100 |
| Transportation | 119 | 115 | 100 |
| Utilities | 118 | 117 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 111 | 115 | 100 |
| Household Items | 108 | 109 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 123 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Saugus? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Saugus stands at 139, making it 39% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Saugus is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Saugus falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Saugus 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 93.6% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The substantial and relentless rise in grocery prices definitely warrants some attention. Over the past two years, grocery expenses have escalated by more than 10%. Having said that, the situation in Saugus is even less favorable, with grocery prices here being 11.9% higher than the national average.
Is Saugus 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 Saugus, for instance, where the median home price falls 133.1% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 1.4% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Saugus flaunting a median household income of $133,911, 64.6% higher than the national norm.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Saugus, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates kick off at 5%.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Saugus, the transportation index is 18.9% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Saugus, healthcare costs are 18.5% higher than the national average.
The Saugus 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.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $150,137 | $12,511 | $3,503 | $4,505 |
| Renters | $52,340 | $4,362 | $1,221 | $1,570 |
| 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. |
| Lynn, MA | 97,235 | 134 | 34.4% |
| Salem, MA | 44,881 | 135 | 35.3% |
| Chelsea, MA | 41,000 | 135 | 35.2% |
| Revere, MA | 54,523 | 139 | 39.0% |
| Ipswich, MA | 4,988 | 139 | 39.4% |
| Saugus, MA | 29,084 | 139 | 38.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bethany, OR | 29,089 | 157 | 57.4% |
| Middletown, NY | 29,092 | 111 | 10.8% |
| Aberdeen, SD | 29,054 | 96 | 4.0% |
| Jeffersontown, KY | 29,051 | 99 | 1.2% |
| Eagle, ID | 29,040 | 137 | 37.4% |
| Saugus, MA | 29,084 | 139 | 38.9% |
Here are the best places to live in Massachusetts
Safest States In The US
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Massachusetts