Cost of Living in Fall River, MA
Updated November 2026 · Bristol County · Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area · population 94,082
Prices in Fall River are 1.6% below the US average (local index 98.4; the BEA index for the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is 101.8), with local housing the biggest saving at 90.2; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,470 a month and the median rent is $1,155.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Fall River's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, unchanged.
Fall River price index by category, US average = 100: All items 98.4, Housing (rents) 90.2, Goods 97.1, Utilities 148.8, Other services 102.3
It is the 25th most expensive of the 28 Massachusetts cities in our data. Cheaper than 64% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.9 | 101.7 | 101.4 | 103.6 | 101.5 | 101.8 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Fall River, MA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $690 | $8,280 | 28% |
| Utilities | $362 | $4,344 | 15% |
| Food at home | $274 | $3,288 | 11% |
| Transportation | $620 | $7,440 | 25% |
| Health care | $359 | $4,308 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $165 | $1,980 | 7% |
| Total | $2,470 | $29,640 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Fall River, MA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $943 | $11,316 | 22% |
| Utilities | $578 | $6,936 | 14% |
| Food at home | $506 | $6,072 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,227 | $14,724 | 29% |
| Health care | $666 | $7,992 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $325 | $3,900 | 8% |
| Total | $4,245 | $50,940 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Fall River, MA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,048 | $12,576 | 20% |
| Utilities | $703 | $8,436 | 14% |
| Food at home | $721 | $8,652 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,631 | $19,572 | 32% |
| Health care | $621 | $7,452 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $418 | $5,016 | 8% |
| Total | $5,142 | $61,704 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Fall River
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,088 |
| 1 bedroom | $852 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,165 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,295 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,510 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,155 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $935 |
| Median home value | $395,500 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $2,123/mo |
| Median household income | $56,673 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 31.2% |
| Home value ÷ household income Very expensive | 7.0× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Massachusetts
30.48¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: −0.2% (from 30.55¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 602 kWh a month in Massachusetts ≈ $183/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +40.9% (from $2.91) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey.
Inflation in the Northeast
Consumer prices in the Northeast Census region rose +4.2% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Fall River are 1.6% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $61,000 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 98.4. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Bedford, MA | 9 mi | 98.2 | $2,465 | $1,137 |
| Taunton, MA | 13 mi | 100.8 | $2,629 | $1,324 |
| Warwick, RI | 17 mi | 101.4 | $2,720 | $1,363 |
| Pawtucket, RI | 18 mi | 99.2 | $2,569 | $1,208 |
| Providence, RI | 18 mi | 102.0 | $2,658 | $1,408 |
| Newport, RI | 20 mi | 106.2 | $2,674 | $1,698 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon, MO | 98.4 | $2,789 | $1,443 |
| Madison, WI | 98.5 | $2,786 | $1,413 |
| Delano, CA | 98.4 | $2,422 | $1,199 |
| Merced, CA | 98.4 | $2,795 | $1,393 |
| Charlotte, NC | 98.5 | $2,936 | $1,612 |
| Carson City, NV | 98.3 | $2,558 | $1,248 |
Compare Fall River with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Fall River, MA an expensive place to live?
Fall River has a local cost of living index of 98.4, which is 1.6% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area (101.8) and adjusts housing to Fall River's own rents. It is 7.3 points below the Massachusetts average. It is the 25th most expensive of the 28 Massachusetts cities in our data. Cheaper than 64% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Fall River?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,470 for a single adult, $4,245 for a couple and $5,142 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $59,100 in Fall River.
What is the average rent in Fall River?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,155 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $852, 2 bedrooms $1,165, 3 bedrooms $1,295. The typical renter spends 31.2% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Fall River?
The median owner-estimated home value is $395,500, 7 times the median household income of $56,673 (very expensive). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $2,123 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Fall River?
Massachusetts residential electricity averaged 30.48¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Massachusetts average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 101.8) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 2523000 (Fall River city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Massachusetts residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Massachusetts, week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U Northeast region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources