Williamstown 77 Exceptional
Williamstown Livability #55 ranked city in Massachusetts#2,883 ranked city in the USARanks better than 90% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Williamstown

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Schools Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

What's it like Living in Williamstown?

Williamstown, Massachusetts is a smaller city with a population of 4,701 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (79% White). Given that fact, Williamstown could be considered less diverse than other cities. With an average age of 21 years old, Williamstown could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Williamstown, only 23% of the population is married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Williamstown is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 12 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Williamstown can be a fulfilling experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Massachusetts, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. With useful information like cost of living, commute, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Williamstown and in the areas around Williamstown is a much easier task.

Williamstown has a livability score of 77/100 and is ranked #57 in Massachusetts and #2,522 in the USA. This is a phenomenal score, as Williamstown ranks well in multiple categories! Another exciting tidbit, is that Williamstown ranks better than 90% of all US cities! If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Williamstown has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (A+), education (A-), employment (A+) and housing (A). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Williamstown. The following was graded with a disappointing score: cost of living (F).

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 95 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Williamstown boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In Williamstown, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 1.7% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Williamstown 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 67%, 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 Williamstown an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Williamstown can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Williamstown meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Williamstown. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Williamstown are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Williamstown come in at $685,098, which is 9.7% higher than the Massachusetts average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Williamstown, the home price to income ratio is 5.7, which is 3.4% lower than the Massachusetts average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Williamstown

See all the best places to live around Williamstown

How Do You Rate The Livability In Williamstown?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Williamstown, MA Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Williamstown transportation information

      Statistic Williamstown Massachusetts National
      Average one way commute12min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work28.5%71.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool2.9%7.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.5%9.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.8%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk58.0%4.9%2.8%
      Working from home7.2%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Williamstown, 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.