Rent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 6.1 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most homes (75.7%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $111,960 a year. That is $54 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 94 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Barnstable Town?
Share of households by yearly income. 37.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Barnstable Town
| Size | Barnstable Town | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,069 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,720 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,039 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,752 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,449 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Barnstable Town overall?
Everyday prices in the Barnstable Town metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Barnstable Town
Life in Barnstable Town
What jobs pay in Barnstable Town
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $162,330 | 20.7% |
| Pharmacist | $150,850 | 22.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $139,840 | 24.0% |
| Software Developer | $133,690 | 25.1% |
| Lawyer | $122,640 | 27.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $104,150 | 32.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $103,380 | 32.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,820 | 33.0% |
| Operations Manager | $100,590 | 33.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $100,320 | 33.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,680 | 34.7% |
| Accountant | $96,110 | 34.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $81,250 | 41.3% |
| Police Officer | $80,210 | 41.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $79,150 | 42.4% |
| Electrician | $78,570 | 42.7% |
| Plumber | $76,270 | 44.0% |
| Firefighter | $74,870 | 44.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,330 | 45.8% |
| Carpenter | $70,580 | 47.6% |
| Truck Driver | $62,740 | 53.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $49,900 | 67.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,520 | 69.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,880 | 70.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $46,930 | 71.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,860 | 71.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,380 | 87.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,790 | 91.3% |
| Cashier | $36,640 | 91.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Barnstable Town?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,382 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $602,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $60,250 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Barnstable Town, MA?
Renting in Barnstable Town costs a median of about $2,799 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Barnstable Town?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $111,960 a year, or $54 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Barnstable Town cheap or expensive?
Barnstable Town is rated Expensive: rent takes 33.9% of the typical household income of $99,203. It ranks 94th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Barnstable Town?
The median homeowner in Barnstable Town pays $3,975 a year in property taxes, about 0.66% of the median home value.
Is Barnstable Town more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Barnstable Town?
The median home value in Barnstable Town is $602,500, about 6.1 times the typical yearly household income.
49,568 people live in Barnstable Town. Numbers are typical (middle) values.