Cost of Living in Winchester, MA
Population 22,862 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Home prices in Winchester run well above the national baseline, with a median of $1.2 million, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $218,176 place the city among the better-paid Massachusetts metros.
Winchester sits roughly 5 miles north of Cambridge — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 14% higher than Cambridge's $1 million.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Winchester
The median home value in Winchester is $1,181,700 — 287% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,271/month, 73% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $218,176/year is 193% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, 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%. Overall, Winchester has a cost of living index of 302 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 202% more expensive.
🏠 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
💨 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 Winchester, MA?
Winchester has a cost index of 302 (100 = national average). It is 202% above the national average.
What is average rent in Winchester, MA?
The median gross rent in Winchester is $2,271 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Winchester?
The median home value in Winchester is $1,181,700 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Winchester?
The median household income in Winchester is $218,176 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Winchester, MA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Winchester is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.
Is Winchester, MA affordable?
Winchester is above average in cost of living, with an index of 302 — about 202% higher than the national average.
Winchester at a Glance
- Population
- 22,862
- Median Income
- $218,176
- Home Value
- $1,181,700
- Median Rent
- $2,271/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.0%
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Massachusetts Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs