Cost of Living in Orange, MA

Population 7,583 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

67
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Orange is a smaller Massachusetts community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $54,105 and housing costs ($224,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. A poverty rate near 21% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Orange is about 35 miles northwest of Worcester, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 34% lower than Worcester's $340,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 73
Rent 56

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

About the Cost of Living in Orange

The median home value in Orange is $223,900 — 27% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $740/month, 44% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $54,105/year is 27% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.8%, 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 59.3°F and lows of 37.2°F. Overall, Orange has a cost of living index of 67 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$223,900
27% below avg
Median Rent
$740/mo
44% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,071
1 BR
$1,191
2 BR
$1,562
3 BR
$1,882
4 BR
$2,100
Owner-occupied 66.9%
Renter-occupied 33.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$740
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,354/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
30.3 min
12% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.0%
Carpooled
8.9%
Public transit
2.6%
Walked
1.0%
Work from home
7.3%

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
$54,105
27% below avg
Per Capita Income
$28,797
Unemployment Rate
10.8%
125% above avg
Poverty Rate
21.3%
Labor Force Participation
45.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.0%
Graduate degree 4.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.9
Male median age 42.8
Female median age 43.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.3°F
Avg Low
37.2°F
Annual Precip
42.2"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 333745597079848274625039
Low °F 141524344655605951393021
Precip" 2.712.343.383.443.244.143.763.874.294.223.373.40

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
67.4%
Good air days/yr
154
Max AQI recorded
226
PM2.5 days
139
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,162
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Orange, MA?

Orange has a cost index of 67 (100 = national average). It is 33% below the national average.

What is average rent in Orange, MA?

The median gross rent in Orange is $740 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Orange?

The median home value in Orange is $223,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Orange?

The median household income in Orange is $54,105 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Orange, MA?

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

Is Orange, MA affordable?

Yes, Orange is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 67 — about 33% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Orange?

Orange has average high temperatures of 59.3°F and average lows of 37.2°F. Annual precipitation is 42.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Orange at a Glance

Population
7,583
Median Income
$54,105
Home Value
$223,900
Median Rent
$740/mo
Unemployment
10.8%
Avg High Temp
59.3°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
View all cities in Massachusetts →
🗺️ County data for Massachusetts

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs