Amherst Town, MA vs New Bedford, MA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. New Bedford is 27.1% cheaper than Amherst Town. With a cost index of 95 vs 121, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from New Bedford to Amherst Town should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Amherst Town is $1,570/month compared to $1,085/month in New Bedford — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $454,000.

Median household income in Amherst Town is $65,938 compared to $56,025 in New Bedford (+17.7%). The higher salaries in Amherst Town partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Amherst Town spend roughly 28.6% of their income on rent, more than the 23.2% in New Bedford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 50.4°F). New Bedford receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 45.2" in Amherst Town.