Cost of Living in Provincetown, MA

Population 3,466 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

195
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Provincetown run well above the national baseline, with a median of $787,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $123,456 place the city among the better-paid Massachusetts metros. At 8.5%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Provincetown is about 45 miles east of Brockton, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 94% higher than Brockton's $406,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 258
Rent 101

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

About the Cost of Living in Provincetown

The median home value in Provincetown is $786,900 — 158% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,331/month, 1% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $123,456/year is 66% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.5%, 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, Provincetown has a cost of living index of 195 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 95% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$786,900
158% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$561,392
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,331/mo
1% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
49.3x
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 70.8%
Renter-occupied 29.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,331
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,945/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
17.9 min
34% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
32.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
37.3%
Carpooled
6.7%
Public transit
1.8%
Walked
11.2%
Bicycle
9.1%
Work from home
32.0%

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
$123,456
66% above avg
Per Capita Income
$92,609
Unemployment Rate
8.5%
77% above avg
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Labor Force Participation
69.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 30.3%
Graduate degree 32.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 56.6
Male median age 52.3
Female median age 62.9

💨 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 Provincetown, MA?

Provincetown has a cost index of 195 (100 = national average). It is 95% above the national average.

What is average rent in Provincetown, MA?

The median gross rent in Provincetown is $1,331 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Provincetown?

The median home value in Provincetown is $786,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Provincetown?

The median household income in Provincetown is $123,456 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Provincetown, MA?

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

Is Provincetown, MA affordable?

Provincetown is above average in cost of living, with an index of 195 — about 95% higher than the national average.

Provincetown at a Glance

Population
3,466
Median Income
$123,456
Home Value
$786,900
Median Rent
$1,331/mo
Unemployment
8.5%
Sales Tax
6.3%
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🗺️ County data for Massachusetts

Explore county-level cost of living data

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