Cost of Living in Northwest Harwich, MA

Population 4,205 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

224
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Northwest Harwich's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $597,000 for a typical home, 96% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $89,063 that put it in the upper third of the state. Rent burden runs high: typical rents of $3,501/month consume roughly 47% of median household income, past the 30% threshold most affordability frameworks flag as strained.

Located 45 miles east of New Bedford, Northwest Harwich falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 84% higher than New Bedford's $324,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 196
Rent 266

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

About the Cost of Living in Northwest Harwich

The median home value in Northwest Harwich is $596,800 — 96% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $3,501/month, 166% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $89,063/year is 19% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.4%, 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%. Overall, Northwest Harwich has a cost of living index of 224 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 124% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$596,800
96% above avg
Median Rent
$3,501/mo
166% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2x
Favors buying
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 89.1%
Renter-occupied 10.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$3,501
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $4,115/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
24.3 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
25.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
61.8%
Carpooled
10.8%
Walked
0.2%
Bicycle
1.6%
Work from home
25.6%

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
$89,063
19% above avg
Per Capita Income
$56,890
Unemployment Rate
10.4%
117% above avg
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Labor Force Participation
54.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.8%
Graduate degree 23.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 56.4
Male median age 50.2
Female median age 60.1

💨 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 Northwest Harwich, MA?

Northwest Harwich has a cost index of 224 (100 = national average). It is 124% above the national average.

What is average rent in Northwest Harwich, MA?

The median gross rent in Northwest Harwich is $3,501 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Northwest Harwich?

The median home value in Northwest Harwich is $596,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Northwest Harwich?

The median household income in Northwest Harwich is $89,063 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Northwest Harwich, MA?

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

Is Northwest Harwich, MA affordable?

Northwest Harwich is above average in cost of living, with an index of 224 — about 124% higher than the national average.

Northwest Harwich at a Glance

Population
4,205
Median Income
$89,063
Home Value
$596,800
Median Rent
$3,501/mo
Unemployment
10.4%
Sales Tax
6.3%
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🗺️ County data for Massachusetts

Explore county-level cost of living data

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