Cost of Living in Barnstable Town, MA

Population 49,232 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

163
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Barnstable Town run well above the national baseline, with a median of $559,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $97,348 place the city among the better-paid Massachusetts metros.

Geographically, Barnstable Town is about 30 miles east of New Bedford, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 72% higher than New Bedford's $324,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 183
Rent 133

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Barnstable Town

The median home value in Barnstable Town is $559,200 — 83% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,751/month, 33% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $97,348/year is 31% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Massachusetts's top state income tax rate is 9.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.3%. Overall, Barnstable Town has a cost of living index of 163 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 63% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$559,200
83% above avg
Median Rent
$1,751/mo
33% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.6x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,429
1 BR
$1,498
2 BR
$1,963
3 BR
$2,405
4 BR
$2,811
Owner-occupied 74.9%
Renter-occupied 25.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,751
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,365/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
25.8 min
4% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.4%
Carpooled
7.8%
Public transit
1.6%
Walked
1.6%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
11.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.0%
Total Sales Tax 6.3%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$97,348
31% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,596
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
32% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.0%
Labor Force Participation
65.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.4%
Graduate degree 18.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 48.6
Male median age 46
Female median age 50.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good
92.5%
Good air days/yr
140
Max AQI recorded
22
PM2.5 days
336
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Barnstable Town, MA?

Barnstable Town has a cost index of 163 (100 = national average). It is 63% above the national average.

What is average rent in Barnstable Town, MA?

The median gross rent in Barnstable Town is $1,751 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Barnstable Town?

The median home value in Barnstable Town is $559,200 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Barnstable Town?

The median household income in Barnstable Town is $97,348 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Barnstable Town, MA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Barnstable Town is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.

Is Barnstable Town, MA affordable?

Barnstable Town is above average in cost of living, with an index of 163 — about 63% higher than the national average.

Barnstable Town at a Glance

Population
49,232
Median Income
$97,348
Home Value
$559,200
Median Rent
$1,751/mo
Unemployment
3.3%
Sales Tax
6.3%
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🗺️ County data for Massachusetts

Explore county-level cost of living data

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