What it's like to live in Barnstable
Barnstable is a small city in Massachusetts with household incomes running above the national average, air quality that stays clean most of the year, a highly educated workforce, and schools with smaller class sizes than the national average. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Barnstable deals with rent well above the national average, home prices well above the national average, crime rates above the national average, and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin.
The good
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Clean air
- Highly educated workforce
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Rent well above the national average
- High home prices
- Crime above national average
- High rent burden for renters
- Cold winters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How Barnstable compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Barnstable
Based on Barnstable's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,834
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $76,680 a year
- 61% of Barnstable renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$120,500
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $60,250
- Homes cost 6.6× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 36% above US
$1,917/mo median rent
Rent is expensive here, at $1,917 a month median and well above the national average. This is the kind of city where housing costs deserve serious budgeting before committing to a move. Home prices are steep, with a median around $602,500. Renting first to get a feel for the city before buying is often the more practical route.
Median home value $602,500 · 61% of renters cost-burdened
Job marketNear US average
4.4% unemployment
Unemployment here is 4.4%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 22% above US
401 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is worth weighing seriously here. Rates run above the national average, and while plenty of residents live comfortably, neighborhood selection matters a lot more than it does in a safer city.
Property crime 795/100k · Barnstable Police Department · 2025 data
Getting aroundNear US average
25 min average commute
Commutes run about average, at 24.8 minutes. Fine day to day, but it adds up over a year, and where someone lives relative to where they work starts to matter. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 12% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are comfortable, with highs around 76°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 25°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 2.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 17% above US
42% bachelor's degree or higher
The population is well-educated, with 42% holding college degrees. That points to a strong professional base and generally a healthy local economy.
Schools
10 public schools inside the boundary
There are 10 public schools inside the boundary and 6 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Cape Cod National Seashore (24 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Barnstable's strongest points are household incomes running above the national average and air quality that stays clean most of the year; the main tradeoffs are rent well above the national average and home prices well above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,917/mo) equals 25% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit college-educated professionals. It may be a harder fit for renters on a tight budget and anyone who doesn't drive.
See all the data for Barnstable →·All Massachusetts cities →
Other places near Barnstable
All Massachusetts guides →Moving to South Yarmouth →
9 mi away · pop. 11,552
Rent $1,806/mo · Income $82,188
Compare with Barnstable →Moving to Nantucket →
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Rent $2,228/mo · Income $148,017
Compare with Barnstable →Moving to New Bedford →
30 mi away · pop. 100,998
Rent $1,137/mo · Income $56,981
Compare with Barnstable →Moving to Bridgewater Town →
38 mi away · pop. 28,471
Rent $2,092/mo · Income $112,651
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