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City Report · MA

Northampton

Pop. 30,962·79th most expensive in Massachusetts·Northampton rents are up 16.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,454/mo
Year-over-Year
+16.1%
Month-over-Month
-0.9%
vs US Median
+$492
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Northampton · $2,454
More expensive than 78% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
37% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,454/mo, rent takes about 37% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$98,000/yr
Local median income
$80,288/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Northampton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,330
1 BR
$1,540
2 BR
$1,910
3 BR
$2,330
4 BR+
$2,600
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,910/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,454 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$29,448/yr
At $2,454/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 16.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+16.1% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Northampton, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 62.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
30,962
Median income
$80,288
Median age
41.3
Renters
42.7%
Age distribution
16%
27%
24.6%
20.4%
Under 1816%
18–3427%
35–5424.6%
55–6412%
65+20.4%
Gender
42.9%
57.1%
Male42.9%
Female57.1%
Race & ethnicity
81%
White81%
Black2.7%
Hispanic9.2%
Asian3.9%
Other3.2%
Education (25+)
13.5%
18.7%
62.7%
No HS diploma5.1%
HS diploma13.5%
Some college18.7%
Bachelor's+62.7%
Housing tenure
57.3%
42.7%
Owner57.3%
Renter42.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Northampton, MA has changed in 5 years

Income
$72,687 → $80,288
up 10.5%
Population
29,379 → 30,962
up 5.4%
Renter share
41.4% → 42.7%
+1.3 pts
Bachelor's+
62.3% → 62.7%
+0.4 pts

Household income in the area moved from $72,687 to $80,288 across the same window, up 10.5% versus 2021. Census counts show Northampton, MA adding about 1,583 residents over the five-year window, up 5.4% on net.

Community

Discussions about Northampton

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View Northampton rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Northampton on your salary?

At $2,454/mo, how Northampton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Northampton rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Northampton. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Northampton

About renting in Northampton, MA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Northampton is $2,454/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,330/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,910/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,540/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,330/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($80,288/yr), Northampton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 16.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Northampton an affordable city for renters?

Northampton is considered moderate for renters. At $2,454/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($80,288/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Northampton slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Northampton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $98,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,454/mo in Northampton. The local median household income is $80,288/yr, meaning the typical Northampton household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Northampton?

Rent in Northampton has increased 16.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Northampton rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Northampton is one of the more affordable cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #79 out of 112 tracked cities at $2,454/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Northampton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Northampton ($2,454/mo): Chicopee ($1,661/mo), Holyoke ($1,796/mo), Springfield ($1,836/mo).

What percentage of Northampton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.7% of Northampton households are renters, while 57.3% are owner-occupied. Northampton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Northampton rent compare to the national average?

Northampton's median rent of $2,454/mo is $492 (25%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #79 out of 112 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $2,454/mo, rent takes ~37% of Northampton's median household income ($80,288/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Northampton 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Northampton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Northampton, MA

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