Cost of Living in Fall River, MA
Population 93,764 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Fall River lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $358,000 — 17% above the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in Massachusetts. A poverty rate near 21% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Fall River sits roughly 9 miles west of New Bedford — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 10% higher than New Bedford's $324,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Fall River
The median home value in Fall River is $357,800 — 17% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,086/month, 17% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,933/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.1%, above the national average of 4.8%. Massachusetts's top state income tax rate is 9.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.3%. Overall, Fall River has a cost of living index of 103 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 3% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Fall River, MA?
Fall River has a cost index of 103 (100 = national average). It is 3% above the national average.
What is average rent in Fall River, MA?
The median gross rent in Fall River is $1,086 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Fall River?
The median home value in Fall River is $357,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Fall River?
The median household income in Fall River is $53,933 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Fall River, MA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Fall River is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.
Is Fall River, MA affordable?
Fall River is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 103 (100 = US average).
Fall River at a Glance
- Population
- 93,764
- Median Income
- $53,933
- Home Value
- $357,800
- Median Rent
- $1,086/mo
- Unemployment
- 8.1%
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Massachusetts Rankings
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