Cost of Living in Greater Newburyport: What to Really Expect

Greater Newburyport sits above the Massachusetts state average on nearly every cost-of-living measure. If you are budgeting for a move, the numbers below are a better starting point than any general New England estimate.

What Housing Actually Costs

The cost of living in Greater Newburyport starts with housing, which is the largest variable in any budget. As of early 2025, median single-family home prices in Newburyport proper run between $750,000 and $900,000. Surrounding towns like Amesbury, Merrimac, and West Newbury offer lower entry points, generally in the $500,000 to $650,000 range, while Newbury and Rowley land somewhere in between. Rentals are tight. A two-bedroom apartment in Newburyport averages $2,400 to $2,800 per month depending on location and condition.

Property tax rates vary by town. Newburyport's fiscal year 2025 residential rate is $10.71 per thousand dollars of assessed value. Amesbury comes in around $13.50 per thousand. West Newbury and Rowley tend to fall in the $12 to $14 range. On a $700,000 home in Newburyport, that means roughly $7,500 in annual property taxes. Factor that into your monthly payment before you commit to a price range.

Utilities, Groceries, and Daily Expenses

Utility costs in Greater Newburyport track with the rest of coastal Massachusetts. Eversource handles electricity for most of the area, and winter electric bills can run $150 to $250 per month for an average-sized home. Heating with natural gas tends to cost less than oil, though many older homes in the region still rely on oil heat. Budget $1,800 to $2,500 per heating season for oil, depending on the size of the house and the winter.

Groceries and dining sit noticeably above national averages. A weekly grocery run for two adults at Market Basket in Amesbury will cost less than the same trip at a specialty grocer in downtown Newburyport. Restaurants along Newburyport's Inn Street and State Street are mid-to-upscale, with dinner for two averaging $80 to $120 with drinks.

You can find more local context on the Bentleys Real Estate blog, where we cover specific towns across the region.

What This Means For You

• A $700,000 purchase in Newburyport with 20 percent down, at a 6.75 percent rate, produces a principal and interest payment around $3,630 per month before taxes and insurance.

• Town choice matters. Amesbury and Merrimac offer lower purchase prices and similar access to Route 495 and I-95.

• Oil heat in an older home adds real budget risk. Ask about the fuel source and annual costs before you make an offer.

• Greater Newburyport grocery and dining costs average 12 to 18 percent above the national median, according to Cost of Living Index data from the Council for Community and Economic Research.

The cost of living in Greater Newburyport is real, and so is the demand. People keep moving here because the tradeoffs, walkable downtowns, commuter rail access to Boston's North Station, and proximity to the coast, are ones they are willing to make. Know the numbers first, and the decision gets easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the cost of living in Greater Newburyport compare to other North Shore towns?

Greater Newburyport generally runs higher than inland North Shore communities like Haverhill or Lawrence, but comparable to towns like Gloucester and Rockport. Newburyport's downtown demand and coastal location push prices up across housing and services.

Which towns in Greater Newburyport have the lowest property taxes?

Property tax rates shift each fiscal year, but Newburyport has historically had one of the lower residential rates in the area due to its commercial tax base. Amesbury and Rowley tend to run higher on a per-thousand basis, though assessed values there are also lower, which can offset the difference in actual dollar terms.

Is Greater Newburyport more expensive than living in Boston?

Housing costs in Greater Newburyport are lower than Boston proper and most inner suburbs, but daily expenses like dining and groceries are close. The bigger financial variable is commuting. If you work in Boston and drive, factor in tolls, gas, and parking or a monthly commuter rail pass on the Newburyport/Rockport Line, which runs around $400 per month from Newburyport station.