Cost of Living in Peabody, MA

Population 54,180 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

169
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing in Peabody sits 86% above the national median — $566,000 for the typical home — but median household incomes near $95,278 (28% above the US figure) soften the blow that similar pricing creates in lower-wage metros.

Located <5 miles north of Lynn, Peabody falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 20% higher than Lynn's $473,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 186
Rent 145

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

About the Cost of Living in Peabody

The median home value in Peabody is $566,200 — 86% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,902/month, 45% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $95,278/year is 28% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, 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%. Overall, Peabody has a cost of living index of 169 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 69% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$566,200
86% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$683,808
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,902/mo
45% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,778/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.8x
Favors renting
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 65.6%
Renter-occupied 34.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,902
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,516/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
30.0 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.6%
Carpooled
6.6%
Public transit
2.5%
Walked
0.9%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
8.8%

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
$95,278
28% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,534
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
1% above avg
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Labor Force Participation
64.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.3%
Graduate degree 11.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 46.6
Male median age 44
Female median age 48.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
66.6%
Good air days/yr
105
Max AQI recorded
204
PM2.5 days
160
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

88%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
10
Public schools
5,994
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Peabody, MA?

Peabody has a cost index of 169 (100 = national average). It is 69% above the national average.

What is average rent in Peabody, MA?

The median gross rent in Peabody is $1,902 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Peabody?

The median home value in Peabody is $566,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Peabody?

The median household income in Peabody is $95,278 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Peabody, MA?

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

Is Peabody, MA affordable?

Peabody is above average in cost of living, with an index of 169 — about 69% higher than the national average.

Peabody at a Glance

Population
54,180
Median Income
$95,278
Home Value
$566,200
Median Rent
$1,902/mo
Unemployment
4.8%
Sales Tax
6.3%
View all cities in Massachusetts →
🗺️ County data for Massachusetts

Explore county-level cost of living data

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