Cost of Living in Townsend, MA
Population 9,052 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Townsend sits on the smaller end of the Massachusetts city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.
Townsend sits roughly 20 miles west of Lowell — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Lowell's $395,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Townsend
The median home value in Townsend is $391,700 — 28% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,206/month, 8% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $120,238/year is 61% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.6%, 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 59.5°F and lows of 38.3°F. Overall, Townsend has a cost of living index of 114 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% more expensive.
Townsend has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 34 | 37 | 45 | 58 | 70 | 78 | 83 | 82 | 74 | 62 | 50 | 40 |
| Low °F | 16 | 17 | 25 | 35 | 46 | 56 | 62 | 60 | 51 | 40 | 30 | 22 |
| Precip" | 2.65 | 2.82 | 3.82 | 3.78 | 3.60 | 4.11 | 3.52 | 3.36 | 3.98 | 4.48 | 3.58 | 3.67 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Townsend, MA?
Townsend has a cost index of 114 (100 = national average). It is 14% above the national average.
What is average rent in Townsend, MA?
The median gross rent in Townsend is $1,206 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Townsend?
The median home value in Townsend is $391,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Townsend?
The median household income in Townsend is $120,238 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Townsend, MA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Townsend is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.
Is Townsend, MA affordable?
Townsend is above average in cost of living, with an index of 114 — about 14% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Townsend?
Townsend has average high temperatures of 59.5°F and average lows of 38.3°F. Annual precipitation is 43.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Townsend at a Glance
- Population
- 9,052
- Median Income
- $120,238
- Home Value
- $391,700
- Median Rent
- $1,206/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.6%
- Avg High Temp
- 59.5°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Massachusetts Rankings
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