Cost of Living in Palmer Town, MA
Population 12,372 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Palmer Town a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $255,000.
Palmer Town sits roughly 13 miles east of Springfield — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 15% higher than Springfield's $223,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Palmer Town
The median home value in Palmer Town is $255,000 — 16% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,041/month, 21% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $78,789/year is 6% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%, 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, Palmer Town has a cost of living index of 82 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% less 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Palmer Town, MA?
Palmer Town has a cost index of 82 (100 = national average). It is 18% below the national average.
What is average rent in Palmer Town, MA?
The median gross rent in Palmer Town is $1,041 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Palmer Town?
The median home value in Palmer Town is $255,000 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Palmer Town?
The median household income in Palmer Town is $78,789 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Palmer Town, MA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Palmer Town is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.
Is Palmer Town, MA affordable?
Yes, Palmer Town is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 82 — about 18% below the US national average of 100.
Palmer Town at a Glance
- Population
- 12,372
- Median Income
- $78,789
- Home Value
- $255,000
- Median Rent
- $1,041/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.6%
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Explore county-level cost of living data
Massachusetts Rankings
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