Northampton, MA
Census place 2546330 · pop 30,962
Home of Smith College, one of the country's largest women's colleges, and a hub of New England's progressive arts scene.
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.50 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities
$2,419/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities
$429,700 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
57.3% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.32% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
291 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
13.4% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities
3.7% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 1 days · better than most cities
2 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median $67,857 · better than most cities
$80,288 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities
92.4% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities
16.3% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
21 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median 964/100k · better than most cities
863 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities
+8.6% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities
63/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities
9.5% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities
17.4% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities
35 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
62.7% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 36.5% · better than most cities
23.1% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities
4.1% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
Frequently asked
- Is Northampton, MA a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Northampton scores 56/100 — a D (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is uninsured adults and its weakest is income inequality. Massachusetts overall ranks #34 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Northampton, MA?
- Northampton reports 291 violent crimes per 100k and 863 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Northampton, MA expensive to live in?
- Northampton has a median home value of $429,700 and typical rent around $2,419/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Northampton, MA?
- Its weakest measured area is income inequality (0.50) — 11/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Northampton, MA best at?
- Its strongest measured area is uninsured adults (4.1%) — 97/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: Home of Smith College, one of the country's largest women's colleges, and a hub of New England's progressive arts scene.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.