Amherst Town, MA vs Lawrence, MA

Amherst Town, MA and Lawrence, MA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Amherst Town scores 121 while Lawrence scores 118 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Amherst Town is $1,570/month compared to $1,569/month in Lawrence — a 0% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lawrence is more affordable at $393,500 median vs $454,000.

Median household income in Amherst Town is $65,938 compared to $57,903 in Lawrence (+13.9%). While Amherst Town is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Amherst Town spend roughly 28.6% of their income on rent, less than the 32.5% in Lawrence. The Amherst Town ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 50.1°F). Amherst Town receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 40.9" in Lawrence.