Tyler receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Amherst Town-Northampton
Tyler
Opportunity
72 · Top 20%
vs62 · Top 36%
Growth
68 · Top 22%
vs71 · Top 17%
Climate
60 · Bottom 24%
vs70 · Top 39%
Physical resilience
82 · Top 12%
vs90 · Top 4%
Housing affordability
81 · Bottom 21%
vs93 · Bottom 44%
Access
98 · Top 7%
vs99 · Top 4%
Economic stability
71 · Top 24%
vs55 · Top 45%
Measured values
| Metric | Amherst Town-Northampton | Tyler | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 162,028 | 241,740 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $87,001 | $74,192 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $45,568 | $35,679 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 307/sq mi | 262/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $390,300 | $240,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,388 | $1,238 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 67.8% | 68.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 4.5% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.5% | -0.2% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 51.6% | 28.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 11.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 398 | 613 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.5 | 2.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 22.5% | 20.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 94°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 16°F | 37°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 45.2" | 42.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 13 mi | 8 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.8 min | 24.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.4 | 37.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Amherst Town-Northampton
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Tyler
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Amherst Town-Northampton
76
Your Score
74
Area Score
Tyler
77
Your Score
76
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Amherst Town-Northampton, MA Metro Area · Tyler, TX Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology