Cost of Living in Williamstown, MA

Population 7,463 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

127
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Williamstown is a smaller Massachusetts community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $97,813 and housing costs ($450,000 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.

Geographically, Williamstown is about 30 miles east of Albany, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 102% higher than Albany's $223,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 147
Rent 97

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

About the Cost of Living in Williamstown

The median home value in Williamstown is $449,800 — 47% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,278/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $97,813/year is 31% 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%. The climate averages highs of 57.6°F and lows of 36.3°F. Overall, Williamstown has a cost of living index of 127 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$449,800
47% above avg
Median Rent
$1,278/mo
3% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.3x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,148
1 BR
$1,276
2 BR
$1,674
3 BR
$2,028
4 BR
$2,811
Owner-occupied 72.6%
Renter-occupied 27.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,278
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,892/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
15.1 min
44% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
25.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
35.8%
Carpooled
3.7%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
32.7%
Bicycle
1.0%
Work from home
25.2%

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
$97,813
31% above avg
Per Capita Income
$47,853
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
44% below avg
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Labor Force Participation
50.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.5%
Graduate degree 44.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31.8
Male median age 29.6
Female median age 34.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.6°F
Avg Low
36.3°F
Annual Precip
42.3"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323544576976817972604838
Low °F 141624344453585649383022
Precip" 2.521.973.083.123.734.414.134.474.224.283.253.12

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
70.4%
Good air days/yr
170
Max AQI recorded
197
PM2.5 days
168
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,160
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Williamstown, MA?

Williamstown has a cost index of 127 (100 = national average). It is 27% above the national average.

What is average rent in Williamstown, MA?

The median gross rent in Williamstown is $1,278 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Williamstown?

The median home value in Williamstown is $449,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Williamstown?

The median household income in Williamstown is $97,813 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Williamstown, MA?

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

Is Williamstown, MA affordable?

Williamstown is above average in cost of living, with an index of 127 — about 27% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Williamstown?

Williamstown has average high temperatures of 57.6°F and average lows of 36.3°F. Annual precipitation is 42.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Williamstown at a Glance

Population
7,463
Median Income
$97,813
Home Value
$449,800
Median Rent
$1,278/mo
Unemployment
2.7%
Avg High Temp
57.6°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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