B-
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
4%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Holyoke Massachusetts National
Cost of living111131100
Groceries108109100
Health care114116100
Housing104169100
Transportation116115100
Utilities117117100
Lifestyle & Entertainment110115100
Household Items107109100
Education & Childcare127127100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Holyoke, MA

The cost of living in Holyoke affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Holyoke is 111, which is 11% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Holyoke?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 5 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Holyoke and this is how they responded. 60% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 40% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Holyoke Affordable?

Is Holyoke affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Holyoke, for instance, where the median home price falls 10.7% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 10.5% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Holyoke flaunting a median household income of $63,038, 22.5% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Holyoke?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Holyoke, healthcare costs are 14.3% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Holyoke, the housing index is 4.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Holyoke cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Holyoke is 15% lower than the Massachusetts average
  • The cost of living in Holyoke is 11% higher than the national average
  • Holyoke housing is 4% higher than the national average
  • Massachusetts general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Massachusetts state income tax is 93% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Holyoke

See all the best places to live around Holyoke

Compare Holyoke, MA Cost of Living

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      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
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      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$105,541$8,795$2,462$3,167
      Renters$39,407$3,284$919$1,182
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Holyoke, MA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Holyoke have a median income of $105,541. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,462 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $39,407, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $919.

      Massachusetts Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Massachusetts 6.25% 6.25%

      Massachusetts Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Massachusetts 5% 9%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Springfield, MA156,85811010.1%
      Huntington, MA6981099.4%
      Chicopee, MA56,65811111.4%
      Russell, MA67811110.8%
      Blandford, MA34911111.0%
      Holyoke, MA41,43911110.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      The Acreage, FL41,41313029.5%
      Cape Girardeau, MO41,479937.2%
      Streamwood, IL41,39711010.5%
      Spanish Fork, UT41,49611817.6%
      Gallatin, TN41,3721076.7%
      Holyoke, MA41,43911110.8%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.