Cost of Living in Lunenburg, MA

Population 11,804 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

141
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lunenburg is a smaller Massachusetts community of around 12000 residents, where median household incomes of $109,753 and housing costs ($443,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 6.6%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Lunenburg sits roughly 20 miles west of Lowell. Median home values run roughly 12% higher than Lowell's $395,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 145
Rent 136

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

About the Cost of Living in Lunenburg

The median home value in Lunenburg is $442,800 — 45% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,784/month, 36% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $109,753/year is 47% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.6%, above 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 59.5°F and lows of 38.3°F. Overall, Lunenburg has a cost of living index of 141 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 41% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$442,800
45% above avg
Median Rent
$1,784/mo
36% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,429
1 BR
$1,438
2 BR
$1,854
3 BR
$2,265
4 BR
$2,493
Owner-occupied 81.3%
Renter-occupied 18.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,784
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,398/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
34.9 min
29% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.4%
Carpooled
7.8%
Public transit
3.2%
Walked
1.1%
Work from home
12.5%

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
$109,753
47% above avg
Per Capita Income
$50,804
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
37% above avg
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Labor Force Participation
54.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 27.4%
Graduate degree 17.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.4
Male median age 43.1
Female median age 42.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.5°F
Avg Low
38.3°F
Annual Precip
43.4"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 343745587078838274625040
Low °F 161725354656626051403022
Precip" 2.652.823.823.783.604.113.523.363.984.483.583.67

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
73.4%
Good air days/yr
148
Max AQI recorded
170
PM2.5 days
190
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
1,641
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lunenburg, MA?

Lunenburg has a cost index of 141 (100 = national average). It is 41% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lunenburg, MA?

The median gross rent in Lunenburg is $1,784 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lunenburg?

The median home value in Lunenburg is $442,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Lunenburg?

The median household income in Lunenburg is $109,753 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lunenburg, MA?

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

Is Lunenburg, MA affordable?

Lunenburg is above average in cost of living, with an index of 141 — about 41% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Lunenburg?

Lunenburg has average high temperatures of 59.5°F and average lows of 38.3°F. Annual precipitation is 43.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lunenburg at a Glance

Population
11,804
Median Income
$109,753
Home Value
$442,800
Median Rent
$1,784/mo
Unemployment
6.6%
Avg High Temp
59.5°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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