Northborough 71 Excellent
Northborough Livability #129 ranked city in Massachusetts#7,116 ranked city in the USARanks better than 75% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Northborough

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing 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.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities 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 Commute

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

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    The low score in this category could be due to challenges related to air quality and the limited accessibility of health-related facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and pharmacies.

What's it like Living in Northborough?

Northborough is a small city located in the state of Massachusetts. The city has a population of 6,697 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (87% White). Given that fact, Northborough could be considered less diverse than other cities. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Northborough offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 31 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Northborough is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in Massachusetts, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. The best areas in Northborough and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, commute, health & safety, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Massachusetts and national averages.

With a livability score of 70/100, Northborough is ranked #6,720 in the United States and #127 in Massachusetts. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Northborough has received high marks for crime (A+), education (A) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Northborough ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Northborough, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 13 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

The Northborough unemployment rate of 2.4% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Northborough schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 69%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Northborough an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Northborough has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Northborough. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Northborough are affordable. The median home price for Northborough homes is $757,235, which is 21.3% higher than the Massachusetts average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Northborough, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 33.9% lower than the Massachusetts average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Northborough

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      Northborough transportation information

      Statistic Northborough Massachusetts National
      Average one way commute31min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.2%71.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.0%7.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.1%9.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%4.9%2.8%
      Working from home18.4%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Northborough, MA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.