Northampton, MA

Massachusetts · Metropolitan Area

Northampton is a small city in Massachusetts with a population of 28,640. Residents earn $78,467 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
28,640 Population 836/sq mi density
$78,467 Median Income $48,960 per capita
$398,000 Home Value $474,863 Zillow
$1,404 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
464 Violent Crime/100K 2,435 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$78,467 median income, 3.3% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.8 / 5.0
$398,000 home value, $1,404/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
464 violent crimes/100K (22% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
61.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,467
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $398,000
41% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 464/100K
22% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 61.3%
82% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,404
21% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 23.9%
26% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.9%
36% lower than US avg

How Northampton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population28,640
Median Age41.7 yrs
Density836/mi²
Male / Female43% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 83%

Economy

A
Median Income$78,467
Per Capita$48,960
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty7.9%
County GDP$10,389M
Commute22 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$398,000
Rent$1,404
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$474,863

Crime

F
Violent464/100K
Property2,435/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault327/100K
Burglary506/100K

Health

Obesity23.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.1%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain46.6 in/yr
Elevation210 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+61.3%
High School+94.9%
School Score6.49

Community

2024 VoteR 28% / D 70%
Commute22 min
EV Stations39
Libraries25

Is Northampton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Northampton receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Northampton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Northampton is $78,467, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Northampton is $398,000, 41% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,404 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 464 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,435 per 100,000, 24% above the national average.

Education

Northampton is a highly educated community — 61.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 94.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Northampton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.6 inches, including 36.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Northampton has a population of 28,640 with a density of 836 people per square mile. The median age is 41.7 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.9%), with 2.1% Black.

Population

28,640
Total Population
836
People / sq mi
41.7yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
34.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.5%
Female 57.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Northampton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.7%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.3%
1% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Northampton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Northampton is $78,467, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Northampton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,467
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$48,960
Avg Weekly Wage$1,192
IRS Avg AGI$87,508

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.9%
36% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,928
County GDP$10,389M

Business (County)

Restaurants384
Healthcare456
Retail493
Manufacturing138

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,350
110% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.85%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.6 min
Work from Home21.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Northampton is $398,000, 41% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,404 (21% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $474,863.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$398,000
41% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$474,863
Median List Price$497,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$497,000
$/Sq Ft$333
Homes Sold11
Sale-to-List Ratio98.9%
Price Drops9.3%
Inventory43

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,404
21% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,312

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,727
1 Bedroom$1,822
2 Bedrooms$2,300
3 Bedrooms$2,858
4 Bedrooms$3,232

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied57.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,350
110% above US avg
Effective Rate1.85%
In Northampton, 23.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 28.1% report depression. 16.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Northampton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity23.9%
26% below US avg
Diabetes7.5%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure25.3%
Asthma12.4%
COPD4.9%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.2%
Physical Inactivity16.9%
Depression28.1%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress11.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.2%
Checkup Rate80.5%
Premature Death5,587/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access92.9%
Healthcare Facilities456
Northampton has a violent crime rate of 464 per 100,000 residents, 22% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,435 per 100,000 (24% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Northampton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent463.7/100K
22% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape70.3/100K
Robbery66.8/100K
Assault326.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,434.6/100K
24% above US avg
Burglary505.9/100K
Theft1,876.0/100K
Vehicle Theft52.7/100K
Arson14.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Northampton has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.2°F
11% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.6 inches
23% above US avg
Snowfall36.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation210 ft (64 m)
Area34.3 sq mi (88.7 km²)
Population Density836/sq mi
Coordinates42.3270°N, 72.6746°W
County FIPS25015
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 61.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (82% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 41.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 27.6%
D 69.5%

Winner: Democrat by 41.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+61.3%
82% above US avg
High School+94.9%
School Test Score6.49
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density836/sq mi
Total Area34.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations39
Alt Fuel Stations41
Public Libraries25
Healthcare Facilities456
Restaurants384
Retail Stores493

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.6 min
Work from Home21.9%

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