Swampscott, located in Massachusetts, is a charming coastal town known for its scenic beauty and community atmosphere. Understanding the cost of living in Swampscott is crucial for both current residents and those considering a move to this picturesque area.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses associated with living in Swampscott, including dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities. By examining these categories, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of what to expect financially when living in Swampscott.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $19 on average, with a range between $12 and $40.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $100, with prices ranging from $85 to $180.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $12, with a range between $10 and $15.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $4 to $8, imported beer $6 to $12, cappuccino $4 to $6, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $4.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.7 and $4 per liter, averaging $1.13.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.98 and $6.01, with an average price of $3.46.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2.07 to $8, averaging $5.63.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.18 to $8.82 per kg, while oranges range from $4.39 to $6.61 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $2.2 and $6.61 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.5 to $3.99 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.83 and $1.06 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $4, with additional costs for distance and waiting time not specified.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs approximately $35,783.94, while a Toyota Corolla is around $26,187.44.

Housing Costs

  • Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child - The cost for private preschool is $1,500 monthly, with potential highs of $4,000.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $109.29 and $400, averaging $158.55.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $30 to $100, with an average cost of $56.25.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

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Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$19.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$100.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$12.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.50
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13
Cappuccino (regular)
$4.50
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.13
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$3.46
Eggs (regular) (12)
$5.63
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.74
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$13.35
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$11.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.64
Apples (1kg)
$6.36
Oranges (1kg)
$4.77
Potato (1kg)
$2.54
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.92
Rice (white), (1kg)
$3.08
Tomato (1kg)
$5.87
Banana (1kg)
$1.36
Onion (1kg)
$3.31
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$21.30
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$35,783.94
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.00
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$26,187.44
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$158.55
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$56.25
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$43.67
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$14.75
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.50
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$40.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$73.75
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$83.33
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.56%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$1,500.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$0.00
Swampscott Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Swampscott offers a diverse range of dining options, with prices varying significantly between casual and upscale restaurants.

Grocery prices in Swampscott can be quite variable, particularly for items like milk and eggs, which show a wide price range.

Transportation costs are moderate, with gasoline prices being relatively stable and competitive car pricing for new vehicles.

Housing and childcare costs are significant considerations, with private preschool fees being notably high.

Utilities and internet services are reasonably priced, though there is a broad range in costs for basic utilities.

Conclusion

Living in Swampscott, MA, presents a mix of affordability and expense, depending on the lifestyle choices and needs of residents.

While dining and transportation costs are manageable, potential residents should be prepared for higher expenses in housing and childcare.

Overall, Swampscott offers a balanced cost of living with opportunities to manage expenses through informed choices in dining, transportation, and utilities.