Rent comparison · HUD FY2026

New Bedford, MA HUD Metro FMR Area vs Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA

How do New Bedford, MA 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.

$1,230
New Bedford, MA HUD Metro FMR Area (1BR)
$1,580
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA (1BR)
−22%
1BR difference

Side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent comparison. Data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Metro
New Bedford, MA HUD Metro FMR Area
$1,230/mo 1BR
Population: 93,238
Metro
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA
$1,580/mo 1BR
Population: 35,472

A 1-bedroom in New Bedford, MA HUD Metro FMR Area is 22% cheaper than Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($1,230 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 New Bedford, MA HUD Metro FMR Area Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA Difference
Studio $1,203 $1,382 −$179 (-13%)
1 Bedroom $1,230 $1,580 −$350 (-22%)
2 Bedroom $1,527 $2,004 −$477 (-24%)
3 Bedroom $1,831 $2,504 −$673 (-27%)
4 Bedroom $2,289 $2,702 −$413 (-15%)

vs US National Average

National average 1BR: $959. New Bedford, MA HUD Metro FMR Area is 28% 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).