C
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
24%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Westfield Massachusetts National
Cost of living113135100
Goods & Services107122100
Groceries103104100
Health care103126100
Housing124169100
Transportation104106100
Utilities126152100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Westfield, MA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Westfield is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Westfield is 113, which is 13% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

When it comes to the cost of living in Westfield, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 23.6% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Westfield?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 7 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Westfield and this is how they responded. 0% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 100% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Westfield Affordable?

Is Westfield an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Westfield is 32.7% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 2.2% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Westfield has a median household income of $109,240, which is 34.3% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Westfield?

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Westfield, the groceries index is 3.2% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Westfield, healthcare costs are 2.7% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Westfield, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Westfield is 17% lower than the Massachusetts average
  • The cost of living in Westfield is 13% higher than the national average
  • Westfield housing is 24% higher than the national average
  • Massachusetts general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Massachusetts state income tax is 93% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Westfield

See all the best places to live around Westfield

Compare Westfield, MA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$139,028$11,586$3,244$4,171
      Renters$63,602$5,300$1,484$1,908
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Westfield, MA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Westfield, the median monthly income is $139,028 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $3,244 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $63,602, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,484 on monthly rental expenses.

      Massachusetts Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Massachusetts 6.25% 6.25%

      Massachusetts Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Massachusetts 5% 9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Westfield National avg. Difference
      Haircut $32.86$27.6219.0%
      Beauty Salon $58.89$51.1115.2%
      Toothpaste $4.16$4.091.6%
      Shampoo $1.70$1.5410.2%
      Movie $14.05$12.889.1%
      Yoga $20.18$19.662.6%

      Groceries

      Item Westfield National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.48$7.702.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.57$1.665.6%
      Milk $5.07$4.737.1%
      Potatoes $5.16$5.261.8%
      Pizza $11.18$12.7612.4%
      Beer $11.05$10.554.7%

      Health Care

      Item Westfield National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $155.55$140.0611.1%
      Doctor $179.00$153.8216.4%
      Dentist $128.44$123.154.3%
      Ibuprofen $12.18$11.733.8%
      Lipitor $18.30$23.6122.5%

      Housing

      Item Westfield National avg. Difference
      Home Price $433,409.00$326,622.0032.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,749.25$2,480.2529.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,476.00$1,444.002.2%

      Transportation

      Item Westfield National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.06$3.060.1%
      Tire Balancing $73.37$65.2112.5%

      Utilities

      Item Westfield National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $317.43$220.1244.2%
      Phone $189.68$195.713.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Springfield, MA156,8581043.6%
      Chester, MA9701055.2%
      Huntington, MA6981055.4%
      Chicopee, MA56,6581076.7%
      Russell, MA6781076.9%
      Westfield, MA42,54711312.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Belleville, IL42,4998515.4%
      Woodlawn, MD42,61111312.6%
      Leominster, MA42,48012524.8%
      Kearny, NJ42,47112726.9%
      Mableton, GA42,6331055.1%
      Westfield, MA42,54711312.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.