What it's like to live in Northampton
Northampton is a small city in Massachusetts with unemployment below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, air quality that stays clean most of the year, and a highly educated workforce. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Northampton deals with home prices well above the national average, crime rates above the national average, hospital ratings below the national average, and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin.
The good
- Low unemployment
- Short commutes
- Clean air
- Highly educated workforce
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- High home prices
- Crime above national average
- Below-average hospital ratings
- High rent burden for renters
- Cold, harsh winters
- Snowy winters — 37" per year
How Northampton compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Northampton
Based on Northampton's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,878
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $57,560 a year
- 55% of Northampton renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$85,940
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $42,970
- Homes cost 5.4× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,439/mo median rent
Rent is pretty middle of the road, at $1,439 a month median. Not a bargain, not a budget-buster. About typical for a city this size. Home prices run above average, with a median around $429,700. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $429,700 · 55% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 14% below US
3.7% unemployment
Unemployment here is 3.7%, a little below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 48% above US
487 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is worth weighing seriously here. Rates run above the national average, and while plenty of residents live comfortably, neighborhood selection matters a lot more than it does in a safer city.
Property crime 1221/100k · Northampton Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 18% below US
21 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 21.4 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 6 in 10 workers drive to work; 24% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 81°F, and winters are cold and harsh, with lows dropping to 17°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
2 hospitals
There are 2 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 2.0 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 74% above US
63% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.
Schools
7 public schools inside the boundary
There are 7 public schools inside the boundary and 5 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is New England National Scenic Trail (8 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Northampton's strongest points are unemployment below the national average and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are home prices well above the national average and crime rates above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,439/mo) equals 22% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit remote workers (24% of workers here already work from home), people who want short commutes, and college-educated professionals. It may be a harder fit for anyone who dislikes long, cold winters.
See all the data for Northampton →·All Massachusetts cities →
Other places near Northampton
All Massachusetts guides →Moving to Easthampton Town →
4 mi away · pop. 16,086
Rent $1,292/mo · Income $71,673
Compare with Northampton →Moving to Amherst Town →
9 mi away · pop. 38,182
Rent $1,671/mo · Income $66,968
Compare with Northampton →Moving to Chicopee →
12 mi away · pop. 55,295
Rent $1,157/mo · Income $62,615
Compare with Northampton →Not sure Northampton is the one?
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