Cost of Living in Forestdale, MA

Population 3,716 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

145
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Forestdale is a smaller Massachusetts community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $105,368 and housing costs ($463,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 20 miles east of New Bedford, Forestdale falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 43% higher than New Bedford's $324,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 152
Rent 136

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Forestdale

The median home value in Forestdale is $462,500 — 52% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,790/month, 36% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $105,368/year is 41% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%, below 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, Forestdale has a cost of living index of 145 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 45% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$462,500
52% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$280,102
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,790/mo
36% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.5x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,429
1 BR
$1,498
2 BR
$1,963
3 BR
$2,405
4 BR
$2,811
Owner-occupied 90.3%
Renter-occupied 9.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,790
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,404/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
32.3 min
20% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
85.5%
Carpooled
8.2%
Work from home
6.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.0%
Total Sales Tax 6.3%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$105,368
41% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,180
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
44% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Labor Force Participation
69.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.4%
Graduate degree 14.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.8
Male median age 40.4
Female median age 44.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good
92.5%
Good air days/yr
140
Max AQI recorded
22
PM2.5 days
336
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Forestdale, MA?

Forestdale has a cost index of 145 (100 = national average). It is 45% above the national average.

What is average rent in Forestdale, MA?

The median gross rent in Forestdale is $1,790 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Forestdale?

The median home value in Forestdale is $462,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Forestdale?

The median household income in Forestdale is $105,368 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Forestdale, MA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Forestdale is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.

Is Forestdale, MA affordable?

Forestdale is above average in cost of living, with an index of 145 — about 45% higher than the national average.