How much does it cost to rent in Amherst, MA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Amherst, MA is $2,344. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Amherst cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?

Amherst is among the more affordable cities in Massachusetts, ranking #85 out of 107 cities at $2,344/mo.

When was Amherst rent data last updated?

Amherst rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · MA

Amherst

Name: Average Rent Prices in Amherst, MA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 38,182·85th most expensive in Massachusetts·Amherst rents have dropped 14.1%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$2,344/mo

Year-over-Year

-14.1%

Month-over-Month

-8.5%

vs US Median

+$379

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Amherst · $2,344

More expensive than 74% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

39% of income

MODERATE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,344/mo, rent takes about 39% of the US median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$94,000/yr

US median income

$72,000/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Amherst's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,330

1 BR

$1,540

2 BR

$1,910

3 BR

$2,330

4 BR+

$2,600

Research median

$1,910/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$28,128/yr

At $2,344/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 14.1% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-14.1% YoY, -8.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Amherst, MA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 75.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

38,182

Median age

21.4

Renters

55.8%

Age distribution

65.9%

Under 187.5%

18–3465.9%

35–5410.4%

55–646%

65+10.1%

Gender

48.5%

51.5%

Male48.5%

Female51.5%

Race & ethnicity

66.6%

14.4%

White66.6%

Black5.1%

Hispanic9%

Asian14.4%

Other4.9%

Education (25+)

13.7%

75.6%

No HS diploma3.1%

HS diploma7.6%

Some college13.7%

Bachelor's+75.6%

Housing tenure

44.2%

55.8%

Owner44.2%

Renter55.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

Community

Discussions about Amherst

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Amherst rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Amherst on your salary?

At $2,344/mo, how Amherst rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $109,597/yr · Rent = 25.7% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $77,813/yr · Rent = 36.1% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $89,633/yr · Rent = 31.4% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $160,208/yr · Rent = 17.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $204,705/yr · Rent = 13.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $72,860/yr · Rent = 38.6% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $65,784/yr · Rent = 42.8% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $81,084/yr · Rent = 34.7% income

stretched

By apartment size

Amherst rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Amherst. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Amherst

About renting in Amherst, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Amherst is $2,344/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,330/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,910/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,540/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,330/mo.

At 39% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Amherst ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 14.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Amherst an affordable city for renters?

Amherst is considered moderate for renters. At $2,344/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Amherst slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Amherst?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $94,000/year (~$45/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,344/mo in Amherst.

Is rent going up or down in Amherst?

Rent in Amherst has decreased 14.1% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Amherst rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Amherst is one of the more affordable cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #85 out of 107 tracked cities at $2,344/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Amherst?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Amherst ($2,344/mo): Ware ($1,388/mo), Chicopee ($1,635/mo), Springfield ($1,786/mo).

What percentage of Amherst residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 55.8% of Amherst households are renters, while 44.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Amherst has a strong rental market.

How does Amherst rent compare to the national average?

Amherst's median rent of $2,344/mo is $379 (19%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #85 out of 107 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

39%

MODERATE

At $2,344/mo, rent takes ~39% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Amherst 39%Benchmark 30%

State income tax5%

Run the Amherst affordability calculator →

Nearby cities