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Gardner, MA

High Pressure

The cost of living in Gardner, MA is 9% above the national average (Cost Index: 109). Homes here are typically valued around $361,910, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $62,948 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Gardner already reads as a high-pressure housing market, with 20% rent burden, 5.7x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 119. Treat this page as a stress test for rent, mortgage, and tax burden before assuming the move works.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Stretch

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Gardner.

Monthly Housing
$1,071/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
20%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$3,675/mo
After housing and debt · $1,225/person
Rent vs Buy
Rent first
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ZILLOWRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 30%
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Cost Index
109
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$361,910
Zillow ZHVI Market Rate • Census ACS: $271,300
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,071/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$62,948
National: $78,538
Population
21,075
Purchasing Power
74
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
119 / 100
19% above average
Rent Index
79 / 100
21% below average
Goods & Groceries
97 / 100
About the same as most US cities
Utilities
155 / 100
55% higher utility bills
Healthcare & Services
101 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
109
Average

Gardner Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $361,910 and Massachusetts's property tax rate of 1.15%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$62,948
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
20%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
5.7x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Gardner looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Gardner, MA

Est. Annual Property Tax
$4,162
Monthly Impact
$347
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
1.15%
National avg: ~1.00%

Massachusetts Place Tax Context

Tax TypeMassachusettsNational Avg
Property Tax Rate1.15%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate9%~5.0%
State Sales Tax6.25%~5.0%

Compare Gardner to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Gardner, MA
109
79
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Gardner, MA: 119
Rent Prices
79

FAQ: Living in Gardner

What is the cost of living like in Gardner, MA?+

Living costs in Gardner land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 109 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $361,910, and typical monthly rents run around $1,071. Groceries and utilities are in line with what you would find in most US cities.

How does Gardner fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,071, while local median household income is $62,948. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 20% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Gardner, MA?+

Massachusetts has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 9%. The effective property tax rate is 1.15%. On a home worth $361,910, that translates to roughly $4,162 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 6.25% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Gardner, MA?+

The typical monthly rent in Gardner is around $1,071. That's roughly 21% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $361,910, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Gardner, MA?+

The median home in Gardner is valued at $361,910. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,830/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 57% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Gardner?+

Grocery prices in Gardner are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 97, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are on the high side (index: 155). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Gardner, MA like to live in?+

Gardner is a small town with a population of about 21,075. The median age of residents is 43.5, skewing somewhat older — common in established suburban communities. The local poverty rate is 14.29%, near the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Massachusetts

If Gardner feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Massachusetts

Use these city pages when you want to compare Gardner against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly