Cost of Living in Amherst, MA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,307 (excluding rent), and $3,014 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,515 (excluding rent), and $6,391 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$15.26 $15.26

$50.9 $50.9

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$70.7 $70.7

$60.6 $60.6

$192 $192

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.68 $9.68

$8.15 $8.15

$15.29 $15.29

Cappuccino

$5.47 $5.47

$3.59 $3.59

$8.22 $8.22

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.43 $2.43

$4.86 $4.86

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.98 $1.98

$3.96 $3.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.79 $7.79

$5.84 $5.84

$11.68 $11.68

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.59 $7.59

$7.09 $7.09

$12.15 $12.15

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$0.88 $0.88

$2.05 $2.05

White Bread (500g)

$3.66 $3.66

$2.73 $2.73

$7.64 $7.64

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.05 $2.05

$12.27 $12.27

Eggs

$4.76 $4.76

$2.04 $2.04

$7.66 $7.66

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.72 $13.72

$9.93 $9.93

$32.83 $32.83

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$26.82 $26.82

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.68 $18.68

$9.95 $9.95

$35.10 $35.10

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$2.00 $2.00

$11.05 $11.05

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 $1.45

$0.97 $0.97

$6.42 $6.42

Oranges (1kg)

$3.64 $3.64

$2.26 $2.26

$18.16 $18.16

Tomato (1kg)

$5.05 $5.05

$1.99 $1.99

$13.15 $13.15

Potato (1kg)

$0.98 $0.98

$7.82 $7.82

Onion (1kg)

$1.02 $1.02

$6.75 $6.75

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.01 $1.01

$5.05 $5.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.52 $1.52

$4.06 $4.06

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.52 $10.52

$17.03 $17.03

Wine (Bottle)

$12.98 $12.98

$8.99 $8.99

$14.98 $14.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.69 $1.69

$4.19 $4.19

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.41 $3.41

$1.95 $1.95

$8.77 $8.77

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.99 $1.99

$1.24 $1.24

$2.49 $2.49

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.28 $28.28

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.65 $2.65

$3.06 $3.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.07 $1.07

$1.67 $1.67

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.33 $28.33

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.78 $0.78

$1.04 $1.04

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.5K $30.5K

$23.7K $23.7K

$36.4K $36.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.5K $25.5K

$24.3K $24.3K

$26.5K $26.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$198 $198

$135 $135

$511 $511

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$57.9 $57.9

$30.19 $30.19

$91.6 $91.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$78.6 $78.6

$55.3 $55.3

$131 $131

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$121 $121

$17.58 $17.58

$121 $121

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.84 $6.84

Cinema Ticket

$10.83 $10.83

$10.08 $10.08

$20.15 $20.15

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,842 $2,842

$2,137 $2,137

$3,561 $3,561

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$27.6K $27.6K

$10.1K $10.1K

$40.2K $40.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$40.79 $40.79

$35.70 $35.70

$122 $122

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.97 $43.97

$24.66 $24.66

$59.2 $59.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.7 $85.7

$55.5 $55.5

$151 $151

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$80.9 $80.9

$253 $253

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,830 $1,830

$1,604 $1,604

$2,005 $2,005

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,645 $1,645

$1,517 $1,517

$1,719 $1,719

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,924 $4,924

$3,566 $3,566

$6,113 $6,113

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,510 $3,510

$3,009 $3,009

$4,513 $4,513

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,958 $3,958

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,009 $4,009

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,750 $4,750

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.22

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 2, 2026

Amherst, MA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Amherst, MA - Frequently Asked Questions

Amherst sits in a university-town setting with a mix of compact apartments, student housing, and family homes. Compared with major metro areas, the pace is slower and services cluster around campus and town center, often giving you predictable daily costs without the big-city premium. You’ll find value in casual dining, farmers markets, and affordable public amenities, but housing and utilities still drive the budget during active semesters. The Cost of Living in Amherst, MA, United States reflects a balance between access to culture and practical constraints for short visits or longer stays. Tip: Start with a short stay to test neighborhoods and seasonality before committing to a lease.

Daily life in Amherst unfolds in a walkable, college-town rhythm centered on the university and town green. Housing search typically starts online and expands to nearby streets, with options from shared apartments to modest houses; demand can rise during the academic year, so plan a flexible timeline. Food options range from campus eateries to farmers markets and dependable groceries with seasonal produce. Transport leans on a solid bus network, bike-friendly streets, and short walks to common destinations; many coworkers use libraries and coworking spaces for focused days. Amherst, MA, United States living cost helps frame rent and utilities as you plan. Tip: Build a conservative budget that covers essentials and seasonal extras.

Quality of life in Amherst depends on choosing a neighborhood that matches your pace, whether you want the campus-edge buzz or a quieter residential vibe. A practical budgeting framework is to map housing, groceries, transport, and leisure into a monthly plan and adjust as your plans shift. Seasonality shapes markets and events, from fall campus activity to winter markets, so your spending and social calendar will vary. Save by sharing housing, cooking at home, and using libraries and community centers for free or low-cost activities. Tip: Try a short-term stay in a couple of neighborhoods across seasons to gauge pace, access, and connection.