Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Ashfield, MA
Considering a move to Ashfield, MA? This peaceful town of 1,735 residents features affordable housing with a median home price of $348,000 and low average rent. Enjoy a low crime rate, short commute times, and a highly educated community with over 43% of residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. With scenic New England seasons, access to quality healthcare, and small-class public schools, Ashfield is perfect for those seeking rural charm and a close-knit lifestyle.
Demographics - Ashfield, MA
Demographics - Ashfield, MA
Ashfield is a small, close-knit town with a population of 1,735 and a low density of 40 people per square mile. The community is predominantly White, has a median age of 48.6, and about 4.5% of residents speak a language other than English at home. The gender balance is nearly even, making Ashfield a stable and welcoming place to live.
Population:
1,735
Density:
40 per sq mi
Median Age:
48.6
Gender Ratio:
97 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
4.5%

Ethnic Composition
White:
95.1%
Black:
0.7%
Asian:
0.9%
Others:
3.3%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Ashfield, MA?
Ashfield offers a moderate cost of living, with a median home value of $348,000 and average rent around $1,095. Utilities and transportation costs are slightly above the national average, but housing remains relatively affordable for Western Massachusetts. State income taxes range from 5% to 9%, and the overall cost of living index stands at 109.1.
Median House Value:
$348,000
Gross Rent:
$1,095
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$160
Auto Insurance:
$1,260
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$1,730
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$580
State Taxes:
Low:
5.0%
|
High:
9.0%
Cost Of Living Index:
109.1
Grocery:
112.0
Housing:
105.3
Utilities:
119.5
Transportation:
110.8
Health Care:
105.2
Miscellaneous:
103.0
Crime
Is Ashfield, MA a safe place to live?
Ashfield is a safe community, with a violent crime rate of just 63 incidents per 100,000 residents and property crime at 340 per 100,000. Residents have a low chance of encountering violent crime—about 1 in 1,587—making it a secure place to live and raise a family.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
63
Property Crimes Per 100k:
340
Crime Index:
403
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 1,587
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 510
Weather
What is the weather like in Ashfield, MA year-round?
Residents experience all four New England seasons, with cold winters averaging 12°F to 34°F and pleasant summers reaching up to 80°F. The area receives about 47.5 inches of rain annually and enjoys sunshine about 52% of the year. Fall and spring bring moderate temperatures, perfect for outdoor activities.

Winter
Min:
12°F
Max:
34°F

Spring
Min:
35°F
Max:
65°F

Summer
Min:
54°F
Max:
80°F

Fall
Min:
38°F
Max:
66°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
47.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
52%
Neighbors
Households in Ashfield typically earn a median income of $77,200, with a poverty rate of just 7.3%. Most residents have at least a high school diploma, and the community boasts a high bachelor’s degree attainment rate of over 43%. The average commute time is 27 minutes, and public transportation use is minimal.
Median Income:
$44,500
Household Income:
$77,200
Family Income:
$91,400
Per Capita Income:
$37,900
Income Male:
$46,400
Income Female:
$37,200
Poverty Rate:
7.3%
Non English Speakers:
4.5%
Rent:
$1,095
Unemployment Rate:
3.7%
Public Transport Usage:
0.4%
Commute Time:
27.2 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
96.2%
Bachelors or More:
43.1%
Education
How are the schools in Ashfield, MA?
Ashfield offers quality public education through Sanderson Academy, featuring small class sizes and personalized attention. The town is also within a short drive of Greenfield Community College and Smith College, providing access to higher education and enrichment opportunities.

Public Schools
Name:
Sanderson Academy
Street:
808 Sanderson Rd
Phone:
413-628-4404
Students:
150
Student Teacher Ratio:
11.4

Colleges
Name:
Greenfield Community College
City:
Greenfield
State:
MA
Distance:
15 miles
Students:
1,800
Name:
Smith College
City:
Northampton
State:
MA
Distance:
21 miles
Students:
2,500
Healthcare
Ashfield residents benefit from excellent healthcare access, with 97.6% health insurance coverage and two major hospitals nearby in Greenfield and Northampton. With 2.5 physicians per 1,000 people and a strong health care index, quality medical services are readily available. Emergency care and general services are within a short drive.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Baystate Franklin Medical Center
Address:
164 High St, Greenfield, MA 01301
Phone:
(413) 773-0211
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Address:
30 Locust St, Northampton, MA 01060
Phone:
(413) 582-2000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.5
Health Insurance Coverage:
97.6%
Health Care Index:
77.2
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Ashfield, MA?
The Ashfield housing market is stable, with a median home price of $348,000 and average two-bedroom rent at $1,095. Homeownership is high at 85.4%, and vacancy and foreclosure rates remain low. The area has seen a healthy 6% home appreciation over the past year.
Median Home Price:
$348,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,095
Owner Occupied Rate:
85.4%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.2%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
6.0%
New Construction Rate:
0.7%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.3%
DMV Information
Vehicle registration and licensing for Ashfield residents are handled by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles in nearby Amherst. The office provides a full range of DMV services and can be reached by phone or accessed online for convenience.
State:
Massachusetts
Department:
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
Address:
101 University Dr, Amherst, MA 01002
Phone:
1-857-368-8000
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.