Cost of Living in Webster, MA

Population 12,300 · 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

Webster is a smaller Massachusetts community of around 12000 residents, where median household incomes of $60,384 and housing costs ($304,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 9.1%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 15 miles south of Worcester, Webster falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than Worcester's $340,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 100
Rent 85

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

About the Cost of Living in Webster

The median home value in Webster is $303,900 — equal to the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,112/month, 15% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,384/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.1%, 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, Webster has a cost of living index of 94 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$303,900
0% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$428,213
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,112/mo
15% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8x
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 43.6%
Renter-occupied 56.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,112
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,726/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
30.0 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.5%
Carpooled
5.9%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
3.0%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
5.7%

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
$60,384
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,638
Unemployment Rate
9.1%
88% above avg
Poverty Rate
19.7%
Labor Force Participation
68.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.0%
Graduate degree 5.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.4
Male median age 36.4
Female median age 36.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
73.4%
Good air days/yr
148
Max AQI recorded
170
PM2.5 days
190
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

77%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,841
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Webster, MA?

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

What is average rent in Webster, MA?

The median gross rent in Webster is $1,112 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Webster?

The median home value in Webster is $303,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Webster?

The median household income in Webster is $60,384 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Webster, MA?

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

Is Webster, MA affordable?

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

Webster at a Glance

Population
12,300
Median Income
$60,384
Home Value
$303,900
Median Rent
$1,112/mo
Unemployment
9.1%
Sales Tax
6.3%
View all cities in Massachusetts →
🗺️ County data for Massachusetts

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs