salaryRent is higher than in 54% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.0 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 62.7% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $69,880 a year. That is $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 32 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Northampton?
Share of households by yearly income. 30.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Northampton
| Size | Northampton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,191 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,299 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,730 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,128 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,186 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Northampton overall?
Everyday prices in the Amherst Town-Northampton metro area are same as the U.S. average (index 100.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Northampton
Life in Northampton
What jobs pay in Northampton
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,650 | 14.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,860 | 15.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,050 | 15.8% |
| Software Developer | $126,670 | 16.6% |
| Lawyer | $122,670 | 17.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $103,350 | 20.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,480 | 20.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $101,270 | 20.7% |
| Operations Manager | $98,200 | 21.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,940 | 21.4% |
| Accountant | $84,390 | 24.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,900 | 26.2% |
| Plumber | $78,570 | 26.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,080 | 26.8% |
| Electrician | $76,980 | 27.2% |
| Police Officer | $73,480 | 28.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,370 | 28.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $72,550 | 28.9% |
| Carpenter | $66,830 | 31.4% |
| Truck Driver | $61,260 | 34.2% |
| Firefighter | $59,270 | 35.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,260 | 44.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,110 | 45.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,680 | 46.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $43,560 | 48.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,710 | 50.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,650 | 57.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,630 | 57.2% |
| Cashier | $35,130 | 59.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Northampton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,235 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $429,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $42,970 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Northampton, MA?
Renting in Northampton costs a median of about $1,747 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Northampton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $69,880 a year, or $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Northampton cheap or expensive?
Northampton is rated OK: rent takes 24.2% of the typical household income of $86,591. It ranks 32nd cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Northampton?
The median homeowner in Northampton pays $5,680 a year in property taxes, about 1.32% of the median home value.
Is Northampton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Northampton?
The median home value in Northampton is $429,700, about 5.0 times the typical yearly household income.
30,962 people live in Northampton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.