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Barnstable Town, MA

Cost of living in Barnstable County, MA

Part of the Barnstable Town Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,382/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 230,073 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,044 31%
Federal tax $646 19%
Healthcare $480 14%
Groceries $385 11%
Transport $320 9%
Energy $246 7%
State tax $206 6%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Barnstable County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,217
per month
1 bedroom
$1,044
per month
2 bedroom
$1,711
per month
3 bedroom
$2,052
per month
4 bedroom
$2,248
per month

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Income and earnings in Barnstable County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$94,452
per year
Individual earnings
$49,548
per year
Per capita
$60,325
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Barnstable County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$575,900
Annual property tax
$4,090

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Barnstable County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$172
per month · 28.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$74
per month
Annual total
$2,952
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Barnstable County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
2.8%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Barnstable County

State and local tax rates for Massachusetts.

State income tax
5.0%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.3%
Combined sales tax
6.3%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Barnstable County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
25.4 min
Drive alone
74.2%
Public transit
1.2%
Work from home
14.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Barnstable County

What it costs to live in Barnstable County each month.

Single person
$3,382
per month
  • Rent $1,044
  • Energy $246
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $385
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $646
  • State tax $206
Couple
$5,603
per month
  • Rent $1,711
  • Energy $295
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $638
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,216
  • State tax $394
Family
$8,144
per month
  • Rent $2,052
  • Energy $369
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $968
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,216
  • State tax $394

Frequently asked questions about Barnstable County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Barnstable County?

In Barnstable County, MA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,044 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,711 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,052 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Barnstable County?

In Barnstable County, MA, the average household income is $94,452 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $49,548 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Barnstable County?

The estimated cost of living in Barnstable County, MA is approximately $3,382 per month for a single person, $5,603 for a couple, $8,144 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Barnstable County?

The combined sales tax rate in Barnstable County, MA is 6.25%, which includes the Massachusetts state rate of 6.25% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Barnstable County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Barnstable County, MA would need approximately $3,382 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $94,452 per year ($7,871 per month). Barnstable County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Barnstable County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Barnstable County, MA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 2.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Barnstable County?

The average home value in Barnstable County, MA is $575,900, with average annual property taxes of $4,090, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Barnstable County compare to other areas?

You can compare Barnstable County, MA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Barnstable County is in the Barnstable Town, MA metro area.

Other counties in Massachusetts

Browse the full list of counties in Massachusetts, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Massachusetts

Compare Barnstable County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources