Living in Orleans, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Orleans · Census data 2020–2024
Orleans has 6,415 residents with a median age of 64.7. The median household income is $102,335 (about the same as the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $957,000, the median rent is $1,502/month.
Orleans at a glance
- Population
- 6,415
- Median age
- 64.7State: 40
- Median household income
- $102,335State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $957,000State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $1,502/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 80.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 58.8%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Orleans a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 3.2%; a poverty rate of 8.6%.
Cons: Median household income about the same as the Massachusetts median; home values 70% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Orleans
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Orleans the median home value is $957,000, 188% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,502 per month, which is 31.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,038 a month in housing costs.
Orleans median household income
The median household income in Orleans is $102,335 and the income per person is $76,631. 8.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Orleans: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,802
- Owner-occupied
- 80.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 19.1%
- Vacant
- 45.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1979
- Average household size
- 2.01
45.8% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Orleans has many vacation and second homes.
Orleans demographics
- Population
- 6,415
- Median age
- 64.7
- Under 18
- 10.6%
- 65 and older
- 49.3%
- Households
- 3,144
- Foreign-born
- 3.5%
- Veterans
- 6.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Orleans ›
Education in Orleans
58.8% of adults 25 and older in Orleans have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 28.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Orleans
- Unemployment rate
- 3.2%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 27.4%
- Drive alone
- 64.1%
- Public transit
- 1.9%
- Walk to work
- 0.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.6%
Orleans vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orleans | 6,415 | $102,335 | $957,000 | $1,502 |
| Brewster | 10,420 | $103,317 | $707,700 | $1,589 |
| East Harwich | 5,654 | $111,508 | $638,900 | $2,329 |
| Eastham | 5,811 | $72,992 | $732,200 | $1,747 |
| North Eastham | 2,085 | $77,442 | $689,300 | $1,688 |
| Harwich | 13,598 | $96,966 | $658,600 | $2,017 |
| Harwich Center | 1,774 | $85,057 | $636,800 | $1,340 |
| Harwich Port | 2,238 | $70,761 | $815,500 | — |
| Northwest Harwich | 3,932 | $107,730 | $665,100 | $2,486 |
More for people moving to Orleans
Orleans ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Orleans: FAQ
What is the median household income in Orleans, MA?
The median household income in Orleans is $102,335, about the same as the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Orleans?
The median home value in Orleans is $957,000, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Orleans?
The median gross rent in Orleans is $1,502 per month, about 31.4% of household income.
Is Orleans, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 3.2%; a poverty rate of 8.6%. Minuses: median household income about the same as the Massachusetts median; home values 70% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Orleans?
The median age in Orleans is 64.7 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Orleans?
The average commute to work in Orleans is 22 minutes; 27.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Orleans?
The unemployment rate in Orleans is 3.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Orleans?
58.8% of adults in Orleans have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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