Median rent is 16% lower in Amherst Town ($1,570/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Amherst Town, where the median home runs $454,000 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $65,938 a year).
City A
Amherst Town, MA
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Amherst Town, MA?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Amherst Town
Massachusetts
Los Angeles
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Amherst Town at $1,570/mo compared to $1,879/mo in Los Angeles (16% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $454,000 in Amherst Town — 48% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9.00% versus 13.30% in California, so Amherst Town is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Massachusetts and 7.25% in California; Amherst Town has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Amherst Town
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Amherst Town.
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick Amherst Town if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,570/mo median).
Pick Amherst Town if you prioritize lower state income tax (9.00%).
Is Amherst Town cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Amherst Town vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,570/mo in Amherst Town, MA and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Amherst Town, MA has the lower rent by about 16%.
Which has higher salaries — Amherst Town or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $65,938 in Amherst Town, MA and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Amherst Town or Los Angeles?
Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9.00% and California's is 13.30%. Amherst Town, MA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Amherst Town income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology