Springfield, MA, known as "The City of Firsts," is a historic city with a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant community. Located in western Massachusetts, Springfield is approximately 90 miles west of Boston and 25 miles north of Hartford, CT. This medium-sized city is celebrated for its significant contributions to American history, beautiful parks, and thriving arts scene.
Springfield's climate features cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers, ideal for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the scenic Forest Park and the expansive Springfield Armory National Historic Site, which offer hiking, biking, and opportunities for family picnics.
The cultural scene in Springfield is dynamic, with attractions like the Springfield Museums, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, and the historic Symphony Hall. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival and the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, celebrating the community's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a priority in Springfield, with institutions like Springfield College and Western New England University providing higher education opportunities. The city's public and private schools serve a diverse student population, making Springfield an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as Baystate Medical Center, ensures residents have access to top-notch medical care and supports a strong job market.
Living in Springfield combines the benefits of urban amenities with the charm of a close-knit community. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system, including buses and proximity to major highways, makes commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its historical significance, cultural richness, and welcoming atmosphere, living in Springfield offers a dynamic and fulfilling experience.
Amenities
Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
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
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.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Employment
This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.
Ratings
Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Located in the state of Massachusetts, Springfield is a moderately-sized city with a population of 153,677 residents. In Springfield, there are 4,822 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Springfield identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 33% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Springfield, only 37% of the population is married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Springfield. With an average one way commute time of only 21 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Springfield is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like commute, health & safety, education, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Springfield and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Springfield to Massachusetts and the national average.
Springfield, MA receives 74 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #87 in Massachusetts and #3,954 in the USA. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Springfield has higher than average grades for the following: amenities (A), cost of living (B) and housing (B-). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Springfield. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: crime (F), education (D) and employment (D-).
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Springfield, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Springfield undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Springfield: Basketball Hall of Fame, Forest Park, and Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Springfield 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.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Springfield is real estate affordability. The median home price for Springfield homes is $162,900, which is 52.2% lower than the Massachusetts average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Springfield, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 18.8% lower than the Massachusetts average.
| Statistic | Springfield | Massachusetts | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.6% | 71.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.3% | 7.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 4.4% | 9.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.7% | 4.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.8% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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