Cost of Living in Smith Mills, MA

Population 4,467 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

94
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Smith Mills sits on the smaller end of the Massachusetts city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.4% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Smith Mills is part of the immediate New Bedford metro area — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 19% higher than New Bedford's $324,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 126
Rent 46

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

About the Cost of Living in Smith Mills

The median home value in Smith Mills is $384,600 — 26% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $599/month, 54% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,250/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.4%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 60.6°F and lows of 40.2°F. Overall, Smith Mills has a cost of living index of 94 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$384,600
26% above avg
Median Rent
$599/mo
54% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
53.5x
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 73.8%
Renter-occupied 26.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$599
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,213/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
33.0 min
22% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
89.7%
Carpooled
1.3%
Public transit
1.1%
Walked
0.9%
Work from home
7.0%

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
$56,250
25% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,661
Unemployment Rate
6.4%
34% above avg
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Labor Force Participation
64.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.5%
Graduate degree 12.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.3
Male median age 44.6
Female median age 40

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
60.6°F
Avg Low
40.2°F
Annual Precip
45.9"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394147576776838174645444
Low °F 212228364655626052423326
Precip" 3.723.044.824.013.293.613.043.833.644.564.264.12

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
73.7%
Good air days/yr
137
Max AQI recorded
121
PM2.5 days
244
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Smith Mills, MA?

Smith Mills has a cost index of 94 (100 = national average). It is 6% below the national average.

What is average rent in Smith Mills, MA?

The median gross rent in Smith Mills is $599 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Smith Mills?

The median home value in Smith Mills is $384,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Smith Mills?

The median household income in Smith Mills is $56,250 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Smith Mills, MA?

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

Is Smith Mills, MA affordable?

Smith Mills is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 94 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Smith Mills?

Smith Mills has average high temperatures of 60.6°F and average lows of 40.2°F. Annual precipitation is 45.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Smith Mills at a Glance

Population
4,467
Median Income
$56,250
Home Value
$384,600
Median Rent
$599/mo
Unemployment
6.4%
Avg High Temp
60.6°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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🗺️ County data for Massachusetts

Explore county-level cost of living data

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