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- Population: 17,115
- Median home value: $311,600
- Median rental price: $1,171

- Top schools nearby: Amherst Regional High School (grade A+), Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (grade A−), Hampden Charter School of Science West (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: The Williston Northampton School (grade A+), The MacDuffie School (grade A+), Springfield Commonwealth Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#9. South Hadley, Massachusetts

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- Population: 39,814
- Median home value: $358,700
- Median rental price: $1,376

- Top schools nearby: Amherst Regional High School (grade A+), Amherst Regional Middle School (grade A), Crocker Farm Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: Deerfield Academy (grade A+), The MacDuffie School (grade A+), The Hartsbrook School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: unavailable

#8. Amherst, Massachusetts

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- Population: 6,907
- Median home value: $390,400
- Median rental price: $1,367

- Top schools nearby: Amherst Regional High School (grade A+), Amherst Regional Middle School (grade A), Wildwood Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: Deerfield Academy (grade A+), The Hartsbrook School (grade A), The Montessori School of Northampton (grade unavailable)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: unavailable

#7. North Amherst, Massachusetts

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- Population: 5,106
- Median home value: $296,600
- Median rental price: $1,513

- Top schools nearby: Amherst Regional High School (grade A+), Amherst Regional Middle School (grade A), Crocker Farm Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: The MacDuffie School (grade A+), The Hartsbrook School (grade A), Lander Grinspoon Academy (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: unavailable

#6. South Amherst, Massachusetts

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- Population: 5,295
- Median home value: $420,100
- Median rental price: $1,625

- Top schools nearby: Amherst Regional High School (grade A+), Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (grade A−), Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Deerfield Academy (grade A+), The Williston Northampton School (grade A+), The MacDuffie School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#5. Hadley, Massachusetts

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- Population: 14,595
- Median home value: $362,300
- Median rental price: $885

- Top schools nearby: Hampden Charter School of Science West (grade A−), Minnechaug Regional High School (grade A−), Hampden Charter School of Science East (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: The MacDuffie School (grade A+), Wilbraham & Monson Academy (grade A+), Springfield Commonwealth Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#4. Wilbraham, Massachusetts

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- Population: 15,789
- Median home value: $409,600
- Median rental price: $1,760

- Top schools nearby: Longmeadow High School (grade A), Academy of Aerospace & Engineering (grade A−), Blueberry Hill Elementary School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: The Loomis Chaffee School (grade A+), Suffield Academy (grade A+), Wilbraham & Monson Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#3. Longmeadow, Massachusetts

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- Population: 28,245
- Median home value: $387,500
- Median rental price: $1,355

- Top schools nearby: Northampton High School (grade A), Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (grade A−), Hampden Charter School of Science West (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Deerfield Academy (grade A+), The Williston Northampton School (grade A+), Springfield Commonwealth Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#2. Northampton, Massachusetts

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- Population: 1,315
- Median home value: $383,200
- Median rental price: $1,142

- Top schools nearby: Amherst Regional High School (grade A+), Amherst Regional Middle School (grade A), Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: The MacDuffie School (grade A+), The Hartsbrook School (grade A), Eagle Hill School (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.

#1. Pelham, Massachusetts