Mass. city named among 50 best places to live in America Boston 25 News [Video]

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — A city dubbed the “heart of western Massachusetts” has been named among the 50 best places to live in America.

In its “Best Places to Live of 2024″ list, Money compared communities across the country based on a handful of metrics, including the health of the local job market, the average housing costs borne by homeowners and renters, the percentage of residents in poverty, and the quality of public schools.

“We took a holistic approach, acknowledging that many factors that make a place worth living can’t be quantified,” Money wrote in its report. “This year’s Best Places to Live list celebrates cities and towns where a thriving economy meets affordability, diversity, and an exceptional quality of life. Backed by rigorous research and data-driven analysis, these 50 places are the blueprint for the future.”

Northampton, a city in Hampshire County that’s home to five colleges, indie bookstores, a vibrant art scene, beautiful scenery, and an …