Cost of Living in Amherst Town, MA
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Amherst Town, MA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Amherst Town, MA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.2 | +0.2% |
| Housing | 97.5 | −2.5% |
| Goods | 97.0 | −3.0% |
| Utilities | 155.7 | +55.7% |
| Other services | 101.2 | +1.2% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Amherst Town, MA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,382 | $55,280/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,580 | $63,200/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,004 | $80,160/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,504 | $100,160/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,702 | $108,080/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Amherst Town, MA
- Federal income tax$4,664
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,536
- Medicare (1.45%)$827
- Massachusetts income tax$2,632
- Take-home pay$45,372
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Amherst Town, MA
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amherst Town, MA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area are 100.2% of the U.S. average, with housing at 97.5%. It is the #84 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Amherst Town, MA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $60,146 in Amherst Town, MA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $57,030.
How much is rent in Amherst Town, MA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Amherst Town, MA are $1,382 for a studio, $1,580 for one bedroom, $2,004 for two bedrooms and $2,504 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Amherst Town, MA
Management Occupations
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary — $109,940
- General and Operations Manager — $98,200
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Accountant and Auditor — $84,390
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $75,920
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $67,180
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $58,810
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary — $84,190
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $81,660
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $79,900
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $39,630
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $101,270
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $46,110
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $41,700
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $46,520
- Cooks, Restaurant — $44,680
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $41,470
- Food Preparation Worker — $40,140
- Waiter and Waitress — $36,650
- Bartender — $35,300
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $34,350
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $47,510
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $40,600
Sales and Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $56,630
- Retail Salesperson — $36,630
- Cashier — $35,130
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $68,320
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $56,430
- Office Clerks, General — $52,190
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $51,100
- Customer Service Representative — $43,560
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $51,640
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $61,260
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $41,710
- Stocker and Order Filler — $36,730