Amherst Town, MA vs North Adams, MA

The cost of living difference between Amherst Town, MA and North Adams, MA is dramatic. North Adams is 69% cheaper than Amherst Town, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Amherst Town has a cost index of 121 while North Adams sits at 71, 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 $777/month in North Adams — a 102% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Adams is more affordable at $185,300 median vs $454,000.

Median household income in Amherst Town is $65,938 compared to $48,521 in North Adams (+35.9%). 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 19.2% in North Adams.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.4°F vs 46.9°F). Amherst Town receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 42.3" in North Adams.