salaryRent is higher than in 71% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 18 minutes. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 75.6% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $81,600 a year. That is $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 50 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Amherst Town?
Share of households by yearly income. 31.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Amherst Town
| Size | Amherst Town | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,099 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,312 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,952 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,456 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,047 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Amherst Town overall?
Everyday prices in the Amherst Town-Northampton metro area are same as the U.S. average (index 100.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Amherst Town
Life in Amherst Town
What jobs pay in Amherst Town
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,650 | 17.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,860 | 18.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,050 | 18.4% |
| Software Developer | $126,670 | 19.3% |
| Lawyer | $122,670 | 20.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $103,350 | 23.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,480 | 24.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $101,270 | 24.2% |
| Operations Manager | $98,200 | 24.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,940 | 25.0% |
| Accountant | $84,390 | 29.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,900 | 30.6% |
| Plumber | $78,570 | 31.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,080 | 31.4% |
| Electrician | $76,980 | 31.8% |
| Police Officer | $73,480 | 33.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,370 | 33.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $72,550 | 33.7% |
| Carpenter | $66,830 | 36.6% |
| Truck Driver | $61,260 | 40.0% |
| Firefighter | $59,270 | 41.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,260 | 51.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,110 | 53.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,680 | 54.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $43,560 | 56.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,710 | 58.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,650 | 66.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,630 | 66.8% |
| Cashier | $35,130 | 69.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Amherst Town?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,325 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $484,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $48,490 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Amherst Town, MA?
Renting in Amherst Town costs a median of about $2,040 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Amherst Town?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $81,600 a year, or $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Amherst Town cheap or expensive?
Amherst Town is rated Expensive: rent takes 33.9% of the typical household income of $72,225. It ranks 50th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Amherst Town?
The median homeowner in Amherst Town pays $8,787 a year in property taxes, about 1.81% of the median home value.
Is Amherst Town more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Amherst Town?
The median home value in Amherst Town is $484,900, about 6.7 times the typical yearly household income.
38,182 people live in Amherst Town. Numbers are typical (middle) values.