Cost of Living in Sturbridge, MA

Population 9,889 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

117
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Sturbridge a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $397,000.

Located 20 miles southwest of Worcester, Sturbridge falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 17% higher than Worcester's $340,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 130
Rent 98

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

About the Cost of Living in Sturbridge

The median home value in Sturbridge is $397,000 — 30% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,292/month, 2% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $129,606/year is 74% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.6%, 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 56.7°F and lows of 39.6°F, with about 72.9" of annual snowfall. Overall, Sturbridge has a cost of living index of 117 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 17% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$397,000
30% above avg
Median Rent
$1,292/mo
2% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.6x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,429
1 BR
$1,438
2 BR
$1,854
3 BR
$2,265
4 BR
$2,493
Owner-occupied 86.0%
Renter-occupied 14.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,292
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,906/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
39.4 min
46% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.6%
Carpooled
8.5%
Walked
0.3%
Work from home
17.4%

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
$129,606
74% above avg
Per Capita Income
$58,581
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
5% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Labor Force Participation
55.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.0%
Graduate degree 21.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 45.2
Male median age 42.7
Female median age 46.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
56.7°F
Avg Low
39.6°F
Annual Precip
48.3"
Annual Snowfall
72.9"
10° 28° 45° 63° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323543566775807871594838
Low °F 171926374756626153423323
Precip" 3.523.264.194.083.564.223.934.144.244.844.004.28
Snow" 18.221.213.71.90.00.00.00.00.01.11.914.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
73.4%
Good air days/yr
148
Max AQI recorded
170
PM2.5 days
190
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sturbridge, MA?

Sturbridge has a cost index of 117 (100 = national average). It is 17% above the national average.

What is average rent in Sturbridge, MA?

The median gross rent in Sturbridge is $1,292 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sturbridge?

The median home value in Sturbridge is $397,000 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Sturbridge?

The median household income in Sturbridge is $129,606 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sturbridge, MA?

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

Is Sturbridge, MA affordable?

Sturbridge is above average in cost of living, with an index of 117 — about 17% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Sturbridge?

Sturbridge has average high temperatures of 56.7°F and average lows of 39.6°F. Annual precipitation is 48.3". Average annual snowfall is 72.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Sturbridge at a Glance

Population
9,889
Median Income
$129,606
Home Value
$397,000
Median Rent
$1,292/mo
Unemployment
4.6%
Avg High Temp
56.7°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