Cost of Living in Barnstable, MA - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $2,354 monthly including rent, or $884 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,517 with rent, or $1,571 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,680 including rent, or $2,258 for daily expenses alone.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.04 $18.04

$12.03 $12.03

$50.1 $50.1

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.8 $75.8

$60.6 $60.6

$182 $182

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.03 $10.03

$15.04 $15.04

Cappuccino

$3.94 $3.94

$3.55 $3.55

$6.09 $6.09

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.04 $2.04

$3.98 $3.98

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.36 $1.36

$2.94 $2.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.95 $4.95

$3.96 $3.96

$7.93 $7.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.94 $6.94

$6.69 $6.69

$8.74 $8.74

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.81 $0.81

$2.31 $2.31

White Bread (500g)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.17 $2.17

$4.91 $4.91

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.22 $4.22

$2.03 $2.03

$8.49 $8.49

Eggs

$4.17 $4.17

$2.03 $2.03

$8.81 $8.81

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.41 $6.41

$3.89 $3.89

$15.01 $15.01

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.61 $8.61

$6.47 $6.47

$17.26 $17.26

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.79 $8.79

$19.81 $19.81

Apples (1kg)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.15 $2.15

$7.89 $7.89

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$0.84 $0.84

$2.14 $2.14

Oranges (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$8.64 $8.64

Tomato (1kg)

$3.54 $3.54

$2.20 $2.20

$8.89 $8.89

Potato (1kg)

$2.15 $2.15

Onion (1kg)

$2.13 $2.13

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.98 $1.98

$3.96 $3.96

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.51 $2.51

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.47 $12.47

$12.22 $12.22

$13.67 $13.67

Wine (Bottle)

$13.10 $13.10

$10.09 $10.09

$18.15 $18.15

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$1.76 $1.76

$4.33 $4.33

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.07 $4.07

$1.53 $1.53

$8.15 $8.15

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.02 $1.02

$2.04 $2.04

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$35.13 $35.13

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.51 $3.51

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.56 $3.56

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$26.33 $26.33

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$0.77 $0.77

$1.11 $1.11

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$37.3K $37.3K

$37.8K $37.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.6K $23.6K

$26.2K $26.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$98.1 $98.1

$393 $393

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$59.1 $59.1

$14.79 $14.79

$222 $222

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$64.8 $64.8

$49.82 $49.82

$140 $140

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.02 $41.02

$19.69 $19.69

$49.23 $49.23

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.54 $23.54

Cinema Ticket

$13.81 $13.81

$11.84 $11.84

$16.77 $16.77

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,827 $1,827

$1,495 $1,495

$2,492 $2,492

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.5K $30.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.3 $56.3

$49.70 $49.70

$69.6 $69.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.67 $37.67

$24.57 $24.57

$49.14 $49.14

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81.2 $81.2

$60.9 $60.9

$91.4 $91.4

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.5 $99.5

$74.6 $74.6

$124 $124

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,203 $1,203

$1,804 $1,804

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,269 $1,269

$981 $981

$1,471 $1,471

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,489 $2,489

$1,872 $1,872

$2,813 $2,813

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,148 $2,148

$1,608 $1,608

$2,512 $2,512

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,720 $2,720

$1,950 $1,950

$2,720 $2,720

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,405 $2,405

$1,956 $1,956

$2,405 $2,405

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,709 $4,709

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.04

6.2

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,590 for a central one-bedroom, or $1,269 outside the center. At 34% of the average salary ($4,709), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $4,709, while typical expenses reach $2,354. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $323 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $76.0 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $35.13 per month.

Cost Highlights

Taxi is more expensive than 98% of cities in North America

Barnstable, MA is more expensive than 76% globally but cheaper than 55% within North America.

Barnstable, MA Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North America

Cost of Living in Barnstable, MA - Frequently Asked Questions

Barnstable sits in coastal Massachusetts as a location where lifestyle quality often balances a higher price tag with practical everyday costs. Compared with bigger cities nearby, you may find housing closer to the water or in village centers to be pricier, yet everyday essentials like groceries and dining can still be reasonable with a smart mix of local markets and seasonal options. The town suits travelers, long-term digital nomads, and families who value safety, seasonal charm, and outdoor access. Cost of Living in Barnstable, MA, United States tends to reward those who plan around peak tourist periods and multi-use spaces. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to map out monthly habits and transport needs.

Daily life in Barnstable revolves around smart choices in neighborhood fit and practical routines. In housing search, consider village centers like Hyannis, Barnstable Village, and Cotuit for walkability or parking options, and weigh quieter inland pockets for steadier rents. Co-working spaces and public libraries offer reliable work hubs for digital nomads. Food options mix farm stands, seafood markets, and independent grocers, with seasonal produce shining in summer. Public transport is available but less extensive than a metro area, so many rely on bikes, car-sharing, or a car for errands and weekend trips. Barnstable, MA, United States living cost helps weigh trade-offs. Tip: Tour neighborhoods at different times of day to gauge mood and pace.

A practical approach blends a simple budgeting framework with season-aware planning. Separate fixed essentials (housing, utilities) from flexible costs (groceries, dining, entertainment) and anticipate seasonal shifts in crowds or ferries. Neighborhood fit matters: quieter coves suit long winters; busy village centers offer services and nightlife in summer. Save by cooking at home with local seafood and produce, using the library or co-working spaces for workdays, and negotiating longer-term rents during shoulder seasons. Take advantage of free outdoor activities, farmers markets, and community events to maximize value without sacrificing lifestyle. Tip: Build a monthly plan that stacks errands by the same days to minimize trips.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Barnstable, MA come to around $2,354 including rent, or roughly $884 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

At around $2,354 monthly all-in, Barnstable, MA offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.

Earning $3,531 monthly in Barnstable, MA means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Barnstable, MA range from $1,269 to $1,590, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

A monthly transit pass in Barnstable, MA runs about $35.13, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

At about $323 monthly, food costs in Barnstable, MA sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.

Living on $3,000 in Barnstable, MA means careful planning, since monthly costs average $2,354. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Remote workers pick Barnstable, MA for good reason: fast internet, family-friendly facilities, retirement-friendly amenities, all at about $2,354 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.