Cost of Living in Essex, MA
Population 3,680 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Home prices in Essex run well above the national baseline, with a median of $827,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $152,371 place the city among the better-paid Massachusetts metros. An unemployment rate of 1.1% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Essex sits roughly 15 miles northeast of Lynn — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 75% higher than Lynn's $473,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Essex
The median home value in Essex is $826,700 — 171% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,828/month, 39% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $152,371/year is 104% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.1%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 59.4°F and lows of 40.9°F. Overall, Essex has a cost of living index of 218 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 118% more expensive.
Essex has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 35 | 38 | 45 | 58 | 69 | 77 | 83 | 82 | 74 | 62 | 51 | 40 |
| Low °F | 19 | 21 | 28 | 38 | 48 | 57 | 63 | 62 | 54 | 43 | 34 | 25 |
| Precip" | 2.86 | 2.44 | 3.42 | 3.60 | 3.39 | 3.99 | 3.48 | 3.04 | 3.75 | 4.10 | 3.52 | 3.32 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Essex, MA?
Essex has a cost index of 218 (100 = national average). It is 118% above the national average.
What is average rent in Essex, MA?
The median gross rent in Essex is $1,828 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Essex?
The median home value in Essex is $826,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Essex?
The median household income in Essex is $152,371 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Essex, MA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Essex is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.
Is Essex, MA affordable?
Essex is above average in cost of living, with an index of 218 — about 118% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Essex?
Essex has average high temperatures of 59.4°F and average lows of 40.9°F. Annual precipitation is 40.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Essex at a Glance
- Population
- 3,680
- Median Income
- $152,371
- Home Value
- $826,700
- Median Rent
- $1,828/mo
- Unemployment
- 1.1%
- Avg High Temp
- 59.4°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Massachusetts Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs