Amherst Town, MA vs Newton, MA

The cost of living difference between Amherst Town, MA and Newton, MA is dramatic. Amherst Town is 42.4% cheaper than Newton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Amherst Town has a cost index of 121 while Newton sits at 210, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Amherst Town is $1,570/month compared to $2,388/month in Newton — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Amherst Town is more affordable at $454,000 median vs $1,202,500.

Median household income in Amherst Town is $65,938 compared to $184,989 in Newton (-64.4%). While Newton 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, more than the 15.5% in Newton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 49.7°F). Newton receives more rainfall at 53.3" per year compared to 45.2" in Amherst Town.