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Moving to
Somerset.
Somerset is an unincorporated community in Bristol County, MA. It has no city government: the county runs it, and the Census counts it as its own place.
What it's like to live in Somerset
Somerset is an unincorporated community in Massachusetts with rent below the national average, household incomes running above the national average, crime rates well below the national average, and air quality that stays clean most of the year. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Somerset deals with home prices well above the national average, commute times longer than most cities, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, and cold winters.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Low crime rates
- Clean air
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- High home prices
- Above-average commute times
- High rent burden for renters
- Cold winters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Somerset compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Somerset
Based on Somerset's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,542
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $50,840 a year
- 55% of Somerset renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$83,760
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $41,880
- Homes cost 3.7× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 10% below US
$1,271/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,271 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices run above average, with a median around $418,800. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $418,800 · 55% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
5.1% county unemployment
Unemployment in Bristol County is 5.1%, somewhat above the national average of 4.3%. Lining up work before the move is the safer route. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Bristol County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 34% below US
218 violent crimes per 100k
Pretty safe, all things considered. Violent crime sits below the national average, nothing alarming, just ordinary city-life awareness.
Property crime 447/100k · Somerset Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▲ 20% above US
31 min average commute
Traffic is a real factor here. The 31.3 minute average means plenty of commuters are pushing 45 to 60 minutes on a bad day. Proximity to work matters more here than it might elsewhere. 9 in 10 workers drive to work; 12% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 82°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 21°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforceNear US average
38% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 38% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
5 public schools inside the boundary
There are 5 public schools inside the boundary. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12:1, 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 Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (14 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Somerset's strongest points are rent below the national average and household incomes running above the national average; the main tradeoffs are home prices well above the national average and commute times longer than most cities. A year of median rent ($1,271/mo) equals 14% of the median household income here, less than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget and anyone prioritizing low crime. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Somerset
All Massachusetts guides →Not sure Somerset is the one?
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