Rent comparison · HUD FY2026
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area vs Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA
How do Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area and Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA rents compare? A side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent breakdown, studio through 4-bedroom.
- $2,476
- Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area (1BR)
- $1,580
- Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA (1BR)
- +57%
- 1BR difference
Side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent comparison. Data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
A 1-bedroom in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area is 57% more expensive than Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($2,476 vs $1,580). Both figures are the 40th percentile of gross rents (utilities included, telephone excluded) set by HUD for the federal fiscal year 2026. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards in each area are set between 90% and 110% of these FMR numbers. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents.
How Do Rents Compare By Bedroom?
| Bedrooms | Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,359 | $1,382 | +$977 (+71%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,476 | $1,580 | +$896 (+57%) |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,941 | $2,004 | +$937 (+47%) |
| 3 Bedroom | $3,526 | $2,504 | +$1022 (+41%) |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,894 | $2,702 | +$1192 (+44%) |
vs US National Average
National average 1BR: $959. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area is 158% above the US average. Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA is 65% above.
Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents FY 2026. Population and median income from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).