Signals
Box Elder
Easthampton
Opportunity
68 · Top 26%
vs62 · Top 38%
Growth
69 · Top 18%
vs58 · Top 36%
Climate
54 · Bottom 4%
vs60 · Bottom 13%
Housing affordability
72 · Bottom 37%
vs68 · Bottom 31%
Access
90 · Bottom 44%
vs100 · Top 3%
Economic stability
72 · Top 24%
vs63 · Top 44%
Measured values
| Metric | Box Elder | Easthampton | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,902 | 16,086 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $73,008 | $71,673 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $33,308 | $45,977 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 870/sq mi | 1,207/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $302,100 | $371,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,491 | $1,292 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 48.2% | 58.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 2.0% | 3.8% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.6% | -1.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.0% | 38.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 7.5% | 8.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 73 | 68 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 5.7 | 4.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -9.9% | 36.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 86°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 13°F | 16°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 45.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 5 mi | 8 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.0 min | 24.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 28.8 | 46.0 | 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
Box Elder
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, winter weather.
Easthampton
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.
Box Elder
60
Your Score
56
Area Score
Easthampton
68
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Box Elder, SD · Easthampton, MA · How this is calculated: methodology