Cost of Living in Lee, MA

Population 5,751 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

103
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lee sits on the smaller end of the Massachusetts city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Geographically, Lee is about 40 miles west of Springfield, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 48% higher than Springfield's $223,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 108
Rent 96

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

About the Cost of Living in Lee

The median home value in Lee is $328,900 — 8% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,255/month, 4% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,222/year is equal to than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%, 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 55.8°F and lows of 36.3°F. Overall, Lee has a cost of living index of 103 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 3% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$328,900
8% above avg
Median Rent
$1,255/mo
4% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.8x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,148
1 BR
$1,276
2 BR
$1,674
3 BR
$2,028
4 BR
$2,811
Owner-occupied 78.4%
Renter-occupied 21.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,255
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,869/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
18.7 min
31% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.5%
Carpooled
9.6%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
2.3%
Work from home
17.6%

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
$74,222
0% below avg
Per Capita Income
$53,628
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
25% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Labor Force Participation
52.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.8%
Graduate degree 27.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 54.4
Male median age 50.3
Female median age 58.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
55.8°F
Avg Low
36.3°F
Annual Precip
44.2"
10° 28° 45° 63° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 303342556775797870584736
Low °F 141523344453585749392921
Precip" 2.672.523.083.383.794.584.183.824.504.563.523.63

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
70.4%
Good air days/yr
170
Max AQI recorded
197
PM2.5 days
168
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
10:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
713
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lee, MA?

Lee has a cost index of 103 (100 = national average). It is 3% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lee, MA?

The median gross rent in Lee is $1,255 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lee?

The median home value in Lee is $328,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Lee?

The median household income in Lee is $74,222 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lee, MA?

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

Is Lee, MA affordable?

Lee is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 103 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Lee?

Lee has average high temperatures of 55.8°F and average lows of 36.3°F. Annual precipitation is 44.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lee at a Glance

Population
5,751
Median Income
$74,222
Home Value
$328,900
Median Rent
$1,255/mo
Unemployment
3.6%
Avg High Temp
55.8°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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