Cost of living in Amherst Town, MA
164,065 people (Census 2025 estimate). Overall prices are 0.2% above the US average, with housing at 97.5 on BEA’s index (US = 100). A single renter on $60,000 keeps $731 a month after 2026 taxes and modeled costs.
Typical household budgets in Amherst Town, MA
Computed by MoveMath’s engine with 2026 tax law, HUD Fair Market Rent for the bedrooms each household needs, DOL 2022 childcare prices for Hampshire County, MA in current dollars, USDA Moderate-Cost food, one car per adult and $1,000 a month of other spending at US-average prices scaled by local price levels.
| Per month | Single, $60k | Couple + toddler, $110k | Family of four, $87,001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,000 | $9,167 | $7,250 |
| Taxes | $1,056 | $1,714 | $1,045 |
| Take-home pay | $3,945 | $7,452 | $6,205 |
| Housing | $1,593 | $2,034 | $2,034 |
| Childcare | $0 | $1,596 | $2,293 |
| Food | $427 | $959 | $1,244 |
| Transportation | $172 | $344 | $344 |
| Sales tax | $30 | $30 | $30 |
| Other goods & services | $991 | $991 | $991 |
| Left over | $731 | $1,498 | −$732 |
Family of four = two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child at the metro’s median household income ($87,001). Click a column to open it in the budget planner and change any input.
Price levels: Amherst Town, MA vs Massachusetts and the US
BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. 100 = US average; bars compare the metro (dark) with Massachusetts statewide (light).
Within Massachusetts, Amherst Town, MA ranks 3rd of 6 metros on overall prices; the state as a whole is at 105.8. The dashed line marks the US average.
Rent and homeownership
| Unit | HUD Fair Market Rent | Income needed at 30% | Share of median income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,416 | $56,640 | 19.5% |
| 1-bedroom | $1,593 | $63,720 | 22.0% |
| 2-bedroom | $2,034 | $81,360 | 28.1% |
| 3-bedroom | $2,663 | $106,520 | 36.7% |
| 4-bedroom | $2,768 | $110,720 | 38.2% |
FY2027 FMRs for Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA: 40th-percentile gross rent (rent + tenant-paid utilities) for standard-quality units. Census median gross rent, all unit sizes: $1,388 (ACS 2020-2024).
Childcare prices in Hampshire County, MA
| Age band | Center, weekly (2022) | Center, yearly today* | Home-based, weekly (2022) | Home-based, yearly today* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $330 | $20,976 | $225 | $14,302 |
| Toddler (2) | $301 | $19,152 | $203 | $12,904 |
| Preschool (3–4) | $230 | $14,636 | $200 | $12,713 |
| School-age (5–12) | $203 | $12,875 | $200 | $12,713 |
DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 county medians for full-time care in Hampshire County, MA (the metro’s principal county). *52 weeks × 1.2224, the BLS CPI change for day care and preschool from the 2022 average to 2026-08.
Taxes: what you keep in Amherst Town
| Single filer, 2026 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $120,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $3,820 | $7,670 | $17,570 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $3,825 | $5,738 | $9,180 |
| Massachusetts income tax | $2,280 | $3,530 | $5,780 |
| Massachusetts payroll taxes | $230 | $345 | $552 |
| Take-home pay / month | $3,320 | $4,810 | $7,243 |
| Share of pay to taxes | 20.3% | 23.0% | 27.6% |
No mandatory local income tax for residents of Amherst Town in our data. State sales tax: 6.25% (state rate only; local rates add on), groceries exempt.
Calculate take-home pay for your household in Amherst Town, MA
Energy and fuel
EIA: electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05. Renters’ utilities are already inside gross rent.
Nearby metros
| Metro | Distance | Price level | 2-BR FMR | Single $60k left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town, MA | — | 100.2 | $2,034 | $731 |
| Springfield, MA · compare | 17 mi | 96.1 | $1,800 | $903 (+$172) |
| Worcester, MA · compare | 36 mi | 102.5 | $2,043 | $737 (+$6) |
| Pittsfield, MA · compare | 39 mi | 95.1 | $1,704 | $1,000 (+$269) |
| Hartford, CT · compare | 42 mi | 102.7 | $1,933 | $805 (+$74) |
| Norwich, CT · compare | 60 mi | 100.4 | $1,902 | $830 (+$99) |
| Waterbury, CT · compare | 62 mi | 99.8 | $1,745 | $1,012 (+$281) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Amherst Town, MA expensive to live in?+
BEA’s Regional Price Parities put overall prices in the Amherst Town, MA metro at 100.2 (US = 100) in 2024 — 0.2% above the national average and the 84th highest of 387 metros. Housing is 97.5, goods 97.0.
What salary do you need to live in Amherst Town, MA?+
A single renter earning $60,000 keeps $3,945 a month after 2026 taxes and has $731 left after rent at HUD Fair Market Rent, food, fuel, sales tax and other modeled costs. Use the cost of living calculator to find the salary that matches your current budget.
How much is rent in Amherst Town, MA?+
HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent — the 40th-percentile gross rent including utilities — is $1,593 for a 1-bedroom and $2,034 for a 2-bedroom. The Census median gross rent for all units is $1,388.
Does Amherst Town have a local income tax?+
No mandatory local income tax applies to residents of Amherst Town in our 2026 data. Massachusetts state income tax does apply.