Salaries in Somerville, MA

You don't move to Somerville in 2026 for a steal. You move here for the commute and the culture—and you pay for both. The median household income is a robust $126,619, but the secret is that a huge chunk of that goes right back out the door.

With a cost of living index of 111.6, you're paying a premium for everything from groceries to that $2,064 one-bedroom apartment. The COL-adjusted average salary here is just $50,426, which tells you the real story: your paycheck doesn't stretch as far as it might in a cheaper city. It’s not a bargain; it’s a trade-off.

So who actually thrives here? The city is a powerhouse for education and tech, with a wildly educated populace—nearly 70% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Software developers are the obvious winners, pulling in a nominal $131,688. But it's also a hub for biotech and professional services, feeding off the Cambridge and Boston job markets. You'll find a lot of people working at places like the MIT campus or the endless startups in nearby Kendall Square.

Here's my honest take: wages are solid, but they're often just barely keeping pace with the climbing costs. For a single person in a high-demand field, it can be manageable. For a family trying to buy a home? That's a much tougher equation. The city works best for those whose earning power can outrun the rent.

The data below breaks down what you can actually expect to earn in the city's top jobs, both nominally and in terms of true purchasing power. It’s a good reality check before you sign a lease.