| Index | North Adams | Massachusetts | National |
| Cost of living | 104 | 131 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 109 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 83 | 169 | 100 |
| Transportation | 114 | 115 | 100 |
| Utilities | 112 | 117 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 110 | 115 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 122 | 127 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in North Adams is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in North Adams is 104, which is 4% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
In North Adams, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in North Adams will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is North Adams affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in North Adams, the median home price is 16.3% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 17.1% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with North Adams boasting a median household income of $74,513, 8.4% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
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 North Adams, healthcare costs are 14.8% higher than the national average.
The North Adams cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $102,833 | $8,569 | $2,399 | $3,085 |
| Renters | $49,750 | $4,146 | $1,161 | $1,493 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Massachusetts | 5% | 9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cheshire, MA | 705 | 95 | 4.5% |
| Readsboro, VT | 317 | 99 | 1.2% |
| Adams, MA | 5,858 | 104 | 3.8% |
| Bennington, VT | 8,880 | 103 | 2.7% |
| Wilmington, VT | 488 | 111 | 11.3% |
| North Adams, MA | 13,232 | 104 | 3.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| El Sobrante CDP (Contra Costa County), CA | 13,228 | 136 | 35.8% |
| Geneva, NY | 13,221 | 96 | 4.1% |
| Wickliffe, OH | 13,221 | 91 | 8.5% |
| Plover, WI | 13,243 | 99 | 0.6% |
| Dover, OH | 13,219 | 92 | 8.5% |
| North Adams, MA | 13,232 | 104 | 3.7% |
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