Cost of Living in Scituate, MA

Population 19,145 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

203
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing in Scituate sits 159% above the national median — $789,000 for the typical home — but median household incomes near $131,861 (77% above the US figure) soften the blow that similar pricing creates in lower-wage metros.

Geographically, Scituate sits roughly 14 miles east of Quincy. Median home values run roughly 32% higher than Quincy's $598,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 259
Rent 120

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

About the Cost of Living in Scituate

The median home value in Scituate is $789,000 — 159% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,579/month, 20% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $131,861/year is 77% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, below 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 44.5°F, with about 49.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Scituate has a cost of living index of 203 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 103% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$789,000
159% above avg
Median Rent
$1,579/mo
20% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
41.6x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,607
1 BR
$1,652
2 BR
$2,155
3 BR
$2,730
4 BR
$2,953
Owner-occupied 88.5%
Renter-occupied 11.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,579
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,193/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
38.3 min
42% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
24.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
61.2%
Carpooled
3.4%
Public transit
7.9%
Walked
2.3%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
24.6%

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
$131,861
77% above avg
Per Capita Income
$84,117
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
26% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Labor Force Participation
54.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 40.1%
Graduate degree 26.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 47.5
Male median age 46.6
Female median age 48.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.3°F
Avg Low
44.5°F
Annual Precip
43.6"
Annual Snowfall
49.2"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 373946566776828073625242
Low °F 232531415060666558483829
Precip" 3.393.214.173.633.253.893.273.233.564.033.664.30
Snow" 14.314.49.01.60.00.00.00.00.00.20.79.0

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
76.2%
Good air days/yr
114
Max AQI recorded
155
PM2.5 days
210
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
2,977
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Scituate, MA?

Scituate has a cost index of 203 (100 = national average). It is 103% above the national average.

What is average rent in Scituate, MA?

The median gross rent in Scituate is $1,579 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Scituate?

The median home value in Scituate is $789,000 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Scituate?

The median household income in Scituate is $131,861 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Scituate, MA?

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

Is Scituate, MA affordable?

Scituate is above average in cost of living, with an index of 203 — about 103% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Scituate?

Scituate has average high temperatures of 59.3°F and average lows of 44.5°F. Annual precipitation is 43.6". Average annual snowfall is 49.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Scituate at a Glance

Population
19,145
Median Income
$131,861
Home Value
$789,000
Median Rent
$1,579/mo
Unemployment
3.5%
Avg High Temp
59.3°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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