North Adams 56 Below average
North Adams Livability #237 ranked city in Massachusetts#22,609 ranked city in the USARanks better than 22% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in North Adams

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

  • Schools

    The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.

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What's it like Living in North Adams?

Located in the state of Massachusetts, North Adams is a moderately-sized city with a population of 12,897 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (88% White). Given that fact, North Adams could be considered less diverse than other cities. North Adams is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 44%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in North Adams will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 20 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in North Adams, Massachusetts. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like amenities, health & safety, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in North Adams and in the areas around North Adams is a much easier task.

The livability score in North Adams is 54 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 21st percentile of all cities across America. This is not a favorable rating; as this score ranks among some of the lowest in America. Living in North Adams may not be a pleasant experience. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that North Adams has higher than average rankings for the following: cost of living (B+) and housing (B-). Unfortunately for North Adams, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (F) and education (F).

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that North Adams has an unemployment rate of 2.65% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. North Adams excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in North Adams is actually affordable. The median home price for North Adams homes is $149,300, which is 56.2% lower than the Massachusetts average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in North Adams, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 37.5% lower than the Massachusetts average.

Best Places to Live in and Around North Adams

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How Do You Rate The Livability In North Adams?

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Compare North Adams, MA Livability

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      North Adams transportation information

      Statistic North Adams Massachusetts National
      Average one way commute20min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work74.8%71.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.1%7.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.1%9.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk11.3%4.9%2.8%
      Working from home5.2%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The North Adams, MA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).