Is Norwood Safe, Pros and cons of living in Norwood

Norwood, Massachusetts, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to the vibrant cultural and economic hub of Boston. This town provides a balanced lifestyle for its residents, with a notable presence of businesses contributing to its economic landscape. Its location within the Greater Boston area makes it an attractive option for those seeking a community feel with urban proximity.

The town is characterized by a diverse population and a robust job market, supported by several key employers. Residents benefit from a range of amenities and a community structure that supports both families and individuals. Norwood’s appeal lies in its ability to offer a comfortable living environment while remaining connected to broader opportunities.

Is it Safe to Live in Norwood?

Crime Rates

Norwood, MA, presents a generally safe environment for its residents. The overall crime rate is reported at 9 per 1,000 residents, which is near the national average for all city sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Your likelihood of being a victim of crime in Norwood is approximately 1 in 113 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Violent crime in Norwood occurs at a rate of 2 per 1,000 inhabitants, which is higher than in many communities across America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). However, property crime, including burglary and larceny, is about average for U.S. towns, with a rate of 7 per 1,000 residents (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Safety by Neighborhood

Within Norwood, safety can vary by neighborhood. Residents generally consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of being a victim of crime can range from 1 in 37 in the southern neighborhoods to 1 in 103 in the northwest (as reported by AreaVibes).

The southwest parts of Norwood experience the most crime incidents annually, with approximately 101 crimes per year. In contrast, the northwest area of the city has the fewest incidents, with around 35 crimes annually (as reported by AreaVibes).

Cost of Living and Housing in Norwood

Overall Cost of Living

Norwood, Massachusetts, has a cost of living that is notably higher than the national average. The overall cost of living in Norwood is 40% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). This is influenced by various factors, including housing, utilities, and transportation expenses.

When compared to Boston, Norwood is about 6% less expensive, a difference that becomes more apparent when examining housing costs (as reported by Living in Norwood, MA). The cost of living in Norwood is ranked as the 42nd most expensive city in Massachusetts (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert).

Housing Market

Housing expenses in Norwood are significantly above the national average, being 90% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). The median home value in Norwood was reported as $402,600 in a previous analysis (as reported by Living in Norwood, MA), though more recent data indicates a median listing home price of $799,000 (as reported by Realtor.com).

As of March 2026, the median sale price of a home in Norwood was $775,000, an increase of 6.1% from the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Norwood tend to sell quickly, with a median of 16 days on the market in March 2026 (as reported by Redfin).

Rental Market

The rental market in Norwood also reflects a higher cost of living. The average rent in Norwood, MA, is approximately $2,290 per month, which is 39% higher than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). For a one-bedroom apartment, the average rent is around $2,290 per month (as reported by Apartments.com).

To comfortably afford rent in Norwood, a monthly income of about $7,633, or $91,596 annually, is recommended (as reported by Apartments.com). The largest share of rentals in Norwood falls between $2,501 and $3,000 per month (as reported by RentCafe).

Job Market and Economy in Norwood

Major Employers

Norwood is home to several significant employers, contributing to its diverse economy. Key employers include Moderna, which has a substantial clinical development and manufacturing site in town, employing over 1,400 people (as reported by Wikipedia). Other major employers in Norwood are FM Global, Home Market Foods, and MS Walker (as reported by Wikipedia).

The town also benefits from companies like Norwood Hospital and Analog Devices, with top business sectors including healthcare, technology, and retail trade (as reported by Living in Norwood, MA). Other companies with a presence in Norwood include Walmart, McDonald’s, UPS, and Amazon.com (as reported by Indeed.com).

Salaries and Unemployment

The average salary for jobs in Norwood, Massachusetts, is approximately $79,566 per year, or $38 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). More recent data suggests the average annual salary for employees at Town Of Norwood, MA, is $82,905 (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

The unemployment rate in Norwood stands at 3.6% (as reported by Point2Homes). More recent data indicates the unemployment rate in Norwood was 4.40% as of April 2026 (as reported by YCharts), and 4.5% in 2026 (as reported by Data Commons).

Climate and Demographics of Norwood

Climate

Norwood, Massachusetts, experiences a climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year. Summers are warm, with daytime highs in July reaching around 82°F, while winters are cold, with January lows around 20°F (as reported by Time and Date and BestPlaces). The town experiences a relatively wet climate, with an annual average of approximately 1256 mm of rain and snowfall (as reported by BestPlaces).

The sunniest month is typically May, with about 10.0 hours of sunshine per day on average (as reported by BestPlaces). The town enjoys pleasant weather, with comfortable temperatures, from May through September, making it ideal for outdoor activities (as reported by BestPlaces).

Demographics

Norwood, MA, is home to a population of approximately 31,542 residents (as reported by Point2Homes and Data USA). The racial makeup of the town is predominantly White, accounting for about 69% of the population (as reported by Niche). Other significant demographic groups include Hispanic (10%), African American (7%), and Asian (7%) residents (as reported by Niche).

The median age in Norwood is 39 years (as reported by Wikipedia). Approximately 19.7% of Norwood residents were born outside the country (as reported by Data USA), and 88.4% of residents are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA).

Education in Norwood

School District Performance

Norwood Public Schools serve the town’s student population, offering education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district has an overall Niche grade of A minus, with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1 (as reported by Niche). According to state test scores, 42% of students are proficient in math and 41% in reading (as reported by Niche).

Norwood School District is ranked within the bottom 50% of all school districts in Massachusetts based on combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year (as reported by Public School Review). However, the district has a high graduation rate of 96%, which has increased over the past five school years (as reported by Public School Review).

Individual School Rankings

Within the district, there is a variation in school performance. F.A. Cleveland Elementary School and Cornelius M. Callahan Elementary School are noted as standout elementary schools, ranking among the top in the state with above-average test scores (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Norwood High School maintains a strong four-year graduation rate of 94.8% (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Conversely, some elementary schools, like Balch, struggle to meet state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The district’s overall performance is generally below the state average, indicating areas for potential improvement (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).