Is Fall River Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fall River

Fall River, Massachusetts, is a city with a rich industrial past, nestled in the southeastern part of the state. Known for its historic textile mills and its unique geography along the Taunton River, Fall River offers a distinctive New England experience. The city balances its historical significance with a developing modern landscape, presenting a unique environment for its residents.

The community is characterized by its diverse population and a strong connection to its heritage. As potential residents explore what Fall River has to offer, understanding key aspects of city life, from safety and cost of living to employment and education, is crucial for making an informed decision.

Is it Safe to Live in Fall River?

Crime Statistics

Fall River’s crime rate is higher than the national average across all communities (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Fall River is one in 46 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Fall River is not among the safest communities in America, with a crime rate higher than 96% of Massachusetts cities and towns (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Violent crime in Fall River is reported at 4.312 per 1,000 residents annually (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Property crime in Fall River is 14 per 1,000 population (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Overall, Fall River has a total crime rate that is 1% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes).

Safety Perceptions

Resident perceptions of safety in Fall River indicate mixed feelings. A student poll revealed that 52% of respondents feel “somewhat safe,” with noticeable safety concerns, while 37% feel “pretty safe” with some concerns (as reported by Niche). Only 11% of students reported feeling “not safe” due to high safety concerns (as reported by Niche).

The northeast part of the city is generally considered the safest area (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The cost of crime per resident in Fall River is approximately $169 per year, which is slightly higher than the Massachusetts state average (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Housing and Cost of Living

Housing Market Overview

The Fall River housing market is described as very competitive, scoring 72 out of 100 (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price of a home in Fall River was $415,000 in March 2026, reflecting a 3.5% decrease year-over-year (as reported by Redfin). Homes are selling after an average of 54 days on the market, an increase from 37 days the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

The median home value in Fall River was approximately $328,100, which is below the national average (as reported by Kurby AI). However, other sources indicate a median home price of $375,500 (as reported by Correira Brothers’ Moving & Storage) and a median listing price of $415,000 in March 2026 (as reported by Movoto).

Rental Market

The average rent in Fall River is $1,756, with a price range from $550 to $7,238 (as reported by Zillow Rentals). Another report indicates the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types is $1,750 as of April 2026 (as reported by Zumper). RentCafe reports the average rent for an apartment in Fall River is $2,063, with a 0.86% decrease compared to the previous year (as reported by RentCafe).

The largest share of rentals in Fall River falls between $1,501-$2,000 per month (as reported by RentCafe). Regarding homeownership, the homeownership rate in Fall River is 35.3%, which is lower than the national average (as reported by Data USA).

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Fall River is 19% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Fall River’s cost of living index is 119, with housing costs being 27% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Monthly expenses for a single person are estimated at $2,561, and for a family of four at $5,591 (as reported by Salary.com).

Compared to other cities, Fall River’s cost of living is 37% less than Boston and 57% less than New York (as reported by Salary.com). The cost of living is 17% higher than the national average (as reported by Correira Brothers’ Moving & Storage).

Job Market and Economy

Average Salary and Income

The average annual salary in Fall River is $55,529, which equates to approximately $26.70 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). ERI SalaryExpert reports a higher average salary of $72,571 per year, or $35 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). Another source states the average yearly salary is $61,172 (as reported by ReadySetHire), while another indicates $83,594 annually (as reported by Fall River, MA Average Salary and Pay Ranges).

The median household income in Fall River was $56,673 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). This median household income is lower than the national average (as reported by Kurby AI).

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate in Fall River was 8.2% in February, a slight increase from January’s 8.1% (as reported by FRCMedia). This rate is higher than the statewide unemployment rate in Massachusetts, which was 4.8% in February 2026 (as reported by FRCMedia).

The long-term average unemployment rate for Fall River is 9.34% (as reported by YCharts). In February 2026, the labor force in Fall River totaled 46,821 employees, with 3,857 people recorded as unemployed (as reported by FRCMedia).

Major Employers

Major employers in Fall River include Lightolier, Anodyne Medical Services, and Gold Medal Bakery (as reported by Zippia). Other significant employers are Saint Vincent’s Services, Citizens for Citizens, and Vanson Leathers (as reported by Zippia). Southcoast Health and Amazon also have a notable presence in the area (as reported by Zippia).

Walmart, McDonald’s, and FedEx are among the large national companies with a presence in Fall River (as reported by Indeed.com). The city’s economy has historically been driven by the textile and clothing industries, which remain a significant source of employment (as reported by Britannica).

Climate

Temperature and Rainfall

Throughout the year, temperatures in Fall River range from an average low of 20°F in January to an average high of 84°F in July (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The warm season lasts from June to September, with daily high temperatures averaging above 72°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Annual precipitation averages 49 inches, with the wettest month being March, receiving about 5 inches of rain (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Snowfall averages 34 inches annually (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The climate is classified as humid continental with hot summers and year-round precipitation (as reported by Plantmaps).

Education

School Ratings

The Fall River school district, serving over 10,000 students, has an overall Niche grade of C+ and is ranked 328 out of 348 school districts in Massachusetts (as reported by Niche). Fall River public schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% and a reading proficiency score of 27%, which is below the state averages (as reported by Niche).

Top-ranked public schools in Fall River include Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, James Tansey Elementary School, and Spencer Borden Elementary School (as reported by Niche). However, the district as a whole indicates significant room for improvement in student outcomes (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Educational Attainment

Approximately 90% of Fall River residents have a high school diploma or higher, which is comparable to the rates in Massachusetts and the United States (as reported by Census Reporter). Educational attainment data indicates that about 90% of the population has completed high school, aligning with regional and national averages (as reported by Census Reporter).

Demographics

Population and Diversity

Fall River is home to approximately 94,082 people, making it the 10th most populated city in Massachusetts (as reported by Data USA). The population is growing at an annual rate of 0.2% (as reported by Fall River, Massachusetts Population 2026). In 2024, 27.4% of Fall River residents were born outside of the country (as reported by Data USA).

The racial composition includes a majority of White residents (67.6%), followed by Hispanic (13.5%) and Two or More races (8.6%) (as reported by Census Reporter). Fall River has become more racially diverse since 2020 but is less diverse than Massachusetts overall (as reported by Census Dots).

Age and Citizenship

The median age in Fall River is 39.3 years (as reported by Fall River, Massachusetts Population 2026). For every 100 females, there are approximately 93.5 males (as reported by Fall River, Massachusetts Population 2026). As of 2024, 88% of Fall River residents were U.S. citizens, which is lower than the national average (as reported by Data USA).

The percentage of U.S. citizens in Fall River was 90% in 2023, indicating a slight decrease in the citizenship rate (as reported by Data USA). The city’s population is composed of 94.1k people, with 88% being citizens (as reported by Data USA).