Cost of Living in Woburn, MA

Population 41,205 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

193
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Woburn's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $642,000 for a typical home, 110% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $107,754 that put it in the upper third of the state. At 7.4%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Woburn sits roughly 8 miles north of Cambridge — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 38% lower than Cambridge's $1 million.

Cost Overview

Housing 210
Rent 167

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

About the Cost of Living in Woburn

The median home value in Woburn is $641,800 — 110% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,190/month, 67% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $107,754/year is 44% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.4%, 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, Woburn has a cost of living index of 193 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 93% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$641,800
110% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$740,874
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,190/mo
67% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,636/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.4x
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 57.6%
Renter-occupied 42.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,190
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,804/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
28.5 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.9%
Carpooled
9.3%
Public transit
3.7%
Walked
1.5%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
15.1%

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
$107,754
44% above avg
Per Capita Income
$56,975
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
53% above avg
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Labor Force Participation
73.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 27.4%
Graduate degree 19.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.5
Male median age 37.2
Female median age 40.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
77%
Good air days/yr
101
Max AQI recorded
165
PM2.5 days
193
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

86%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
10
Public schools
4,451
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Woburn, MA?

Woburn has a cost index of 193 (100 = national average). It is 93% above the national average.

What is average rent in Woburn, MA?

The median gross rent in Woburn is $2,190 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Woburn?

The median home value in Woburn is $641,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Woburn?

The median household income in Woburn is $107,754 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Woburn, MA?

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

Is Woburn, MA affordable?

Woburn is above average in cost of living, with an index of 193 — about 93% higher than the national average.

Woburn at a Glance

Population
41,205
Median Income
$107,754
Home Value
$641,800
Median Rent
$2,190/mo
Unemployment
7.4%
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