Springfield, Massachusetts
Overall Score 6.1/10
Andy Castillo|
What’s it like to live in Springfield, MA?
Resting along the banks of the Connecticut River, Springfield, Massachusetts, is located on the southern doorstep of the Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts, a region that's loved by outdoorsy types for its natural beauty and abundant hiking trails.
Springfield is also the region's economic hub and academic center. Several companies are headquartered in the metro area, including Fortune 500 financial services firm MassMutual. Meanwhile, higher education institutions like Springfield College and Western New England University bring in college students who diversify the city's population.
What's more, all the various recreational and employment opportunities that Springfield offers are within easy reach of other major East Coast metro areas. Springfield is about three hours from New York City, 90 minutes from Boston and roughly 30 minutes from Hartford, Connecticut.
What is there to do in Springfield, MA?
Springfield is the entertainment and nightlife destination of Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley. MassMutual Center hosts concerts, conventions and other events and is home to the AHL Springfield Thunderbirds. Symphony Hall is also an excellent place to catch a live performance.
Those who search for outdoor activities often find themselves in Forest Park, home to walking paths and sports fields, as well as a zoo and an ice rink. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is a popular attraction for residents and out-of-towners alike.
Across the river in Agawam, Six Flags New England is a popular destination for families.
What’s the cost of living in Springfield, MA?
Compared with other East Coast metropolitan areas like Boston and New York City, Springfield is an affordable place to live. Housing tends to get more expensive the farther away from the city center. The median home sale price in the city is lower than the national median. However, everyday expenses, such as groceries and utilities, can be higher than the national average.
Best Local Services in Springfield:
Springfield offers a lower value than similarly sized metro areas when you compare housing costs to median household income.
Housing Costs 2022
- National Average
- $383,883
- Springfield, MA
- $325,399
Housing Costs Over Time
Data sourced from Zillow median home sale price data series. Additional data provided by the Austin Board of Realtors, Houston Association of Realtors, Intermountain MLS, Omaha Area Board of Realtors, San Antonio Board of Realtors, and the Salt Lake Board of Realtors. Due to differences within the data source, home prices are not comparable across metro areas.
Buying or selling a home?
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What’s the weather like in Springfield, MA?
Springfield enjoys all four seasons. Western Massachusetts is famous for its spectacular fall, with cool, crisp air accompanying the colorful autumn foliage.
Average Seasonal Temperature (°F)
- WINTER
- 26.6°
- FALL
- 50.5°
- SPRING
- 46.9°
- SUMMER
- 69.1°
Average Seasonal Rainfall (in)
- WINTER
- 3.4"
- FALL
- 4.8"
- SPRING
- 4.4"
- SUMMER
- 4.4"
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center.
Monthly High and Low Temperature (°F)
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center.
What's the best way to get around Springfield, MA?
It's easy to get around downtown Springfield and nearby suburbs using public transportation. Each day, people use the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority's local buses to get around Springfield and to other area destinations, including Holyoke, Northampton and Amherst.
However, most Springfield residents still choose to drive. Traffic is heavy throughout Springfield, especially in the downtown district during rush hour.
Peter Pan Bus Lines runs charter routes from Springfield to destinations including Boston, New York City and Northampton, Massachusetts. Amtrak has a route that runs from Vermont through Springfield to New York City before continuing south to Washington, D.C. Bradley International Airport north of Hartford, Connecticut, is just a 25-minute drive from Springfield on Interstate 91.
It's easy to get around downtown Springfield and nearby suburbs using public transportation. Each day, people use the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority's local buses to get around Springfield and to other area destinations, including Holyoke, Northampton and Amherst.
However, most Springfield residents still choose to drive. Traffic is heavy throughout Springfield, especially in the downtown district during rush hour.
Peter Pan Bus Lines runs charter routes from Springfield to destinations including Boston, New York City and Northampton, Massachusetts. Amtrak has a route that runs from Vermont through Springfield to New York City before continuing south to Washington, D.C. Bradley International Airport north of Hartford, Connecticut, is just a 25-minute drive from Springfield on Interstate 91.
Commuting in Springfield, MA
- Average Commute Time
- 23.3 minutes
3.5 minutes less than national average.
81.8%
4.2%
2.5%
0.5%
Driving
Public Transit
Walking
Bicycling
Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Who lives in Springfield, MA?
Springfield's population is culturally diverse. A strong Catholic community formed by Irish, Italian and Hispanic influences flourishes throughout the metro area.
Age Distribution
Marital Status Breakdown
More single people in Springfield as national average.
Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Marital Status Breakdown
More single people in Springfield as national average.
Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.