Cost of Living in Somerset, MA

Population 18,246 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

117
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Somerset is a smaller Massachusetts community of around 18000 residents, where median household incomes of $111,720 and housing costs ($389,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 2.5% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Somerset sits roughly 13 miles west of New Bedford. Median home values run roughly 20% higher than New Bedford's $324,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 128
Rent 100

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

About the Cost of Living in Somerset

The median home value in Somerset is $389,400 — 28% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,313/month, equal to than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $111,720/year is 50% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.5%, 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, Somerset has a cost of living index of 117 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 17% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$389,400
28% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$493,043
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,313/mo
0% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.7x
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 84.4%
Renter-occupied 15.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,313
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,927/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
31.3 min
16% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
84.9%
Carpooled
3.9%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
0.2%
Work from home
10.2%

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
$111,720
50% above avg
Per Capita Income
$55,168
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
48% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.0%
Labor Force Participation
63.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.6%
Graduate degree 14.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 47
Male median age 46.8
Female median age 47.4

💨 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
2,765
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Somerset, MA?

Somerset has a cost index of 117 (100 = national average). It is 17% above the national average.

What is average rent in Somerset, MA?

The median gross rent in Somerset is $1,313 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Somerset?

The median home value in Somerset is $389,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Somerset?

The median household income in Somerset is $111,720 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Somerset, MA?

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

Is Somerset, MA affordable?

Somerset is above average in cost of living, with an index of 117 — about 17% higher than the national average.

Somerset at a Glance

Population
18,246
Median Income
$111,720
Home Value
$389,400
Median Rent
$1,313/mo
Unemployment
2.5%
Sales Tax
6.3%
View all cities in Massachusetts →
🗺️ County data for Massachusetts

Explore county-level cost of living data

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