Is Taunton Safe, Pros and cons of living in Taunton
Taunton, Massachusetts, offers a blend of historical charm and modern amenities, making it a noteworthy option for those considering a move. Its location provides access to larger metropolitan areas while maintaining a distinct community feel. The city presents a varied landscape of opportunities and challenges for potential residents.
Understanding the various facets of life in Taunton is crucial for anyone contemplating a relocation. From safety and cost of living to employment and education, a comprehensive overview can guide your decision-making process. This article delves into these key aspects to provide a clear picture of what living in Taunton entails.
Is it Safe to Live in Taunton?
Crime Rates
The overall crime rate in Taunton is approximately 107.8 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 7% higher than the national average (as reported by Plumplot as of April 2026). Violent crimes constitute a significant portion of this, making up 44.5% of all reported crimes in the area (as reported by Plumplot as of April 2026). The violent crime rate in Taunton is 135% of the national crime rate (as reported by Plumplot as of April 2026).
However, other analyses present a different perspective, suggesting that Taunton’s overall crime rate is 40% lower than the national average, with violent crimes being 24.7% higher than the national average and property crimes being 52.6% lower than the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). This discrepancy highlights the importance of examining crime statistics from multiple sources and considering specific types of crime when assessing safety.
Neighborhood Safety
When considering safety within Taunton, neighborhood variations are significant. Residents generally perceive the northwest part of the city as the safest (as reported by AreaVibes). The likelihood of being a victim of crime can range from 1 in 42 in central neighborhoods to 1 in 112 in the northwest areas (as reported by AreaVibes).
Conversely, the eastern parts of Taunton tend to see a higher number of incidents, with approximately 172 crimes annually, while the western parts experience fewer, around 52 crimes per year (as reported by AreaVibes). This suggests that choosing a specific neighborhood can greatly influence one’s personal safety experience.
What is the Cost of Living in Taunton?
Overall Cost of Living
The cost of living in Taunton, MA, is considered more expensive than the national average. For a single person, monthly expenses are estimated at $3,478, and for a family of four, they are around $7,659 (as reported by Salary.com as of March 2026). These figures reflect a 2% increase from the previous year.
Taunton’s cost of living is 41% higher than the U.S. national average and 17% lower than the Massachusetts state average (as reported by Salary.com as of March 2026). Key contributors to this higher cost include housing, transportation, and food prices.
Housing Costs
Housing costs in Taunton are a significant factor in its overall cost of living. The median home value in Taunton was $422,800 in 2024, which is 1.27 times higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA). Between 2023 and 2024, the median property value increased by 8.91%.
Rental prices also reflect these higher costs. The average rent for an apartment in Taunton is approximately $2,042, an increase of 5.15% from the previous year (as reported by RentCafe). A one-bedroom apartment averages around $1,773, while a two-bedroom unit is about $2,224 (as reported by RentCafe).
Utilities and Transportation
Utility costs in Taunton are approximately 9.0% higher than the national average, with monthly expenses around $954 for an individual and $2,156 for a household (as reported by Salary.com as of March 2026). Transportation expenses also contribute to the cost of living, being higher than the U.S. average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).
The average commute time for residents is 29.3 minutes, with most people driving alone to work (as reported by Data USA). Car ownership is common, with an average of two cars per household (as reported by Data USA).
What is the Job Market Like in Taunton?
Employment and Unemployment
The economy of Taunton employs approximately 31,114 people, with employment growing at a rate of 1.4% from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). The unemployment rate in Taunton, MA, is currently at 6.00%, which is lower than the long-term average (as reported by YCharts). This rate is also lower than the previous month’s rate of 6.10% and the previous year’s rate of 5.70%.
In the UK context, Taunton Deane had a low unemployment rate of 4.1% in 2005, compared to the national average of 5.0% (as reported by Wikipedia). For Somerset, the unemployment rate is reported at 3.4% (as reported by Plumplot).
Major Employers and Industries
The largest industries in Taunton, MA, are Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Construction (as reported by Data USA). In terms of employment sectors, Health Care & Social Assistance employs 5,543 people, followed by Retail Trade with 4,442 people, and Construction with 2,921 people.
Some of the major companies operating in or near Taunton include PharMerica, Bristol County Savings Bank, and Bloom’s Bus Lines (as reported by Indeed.com). Other notable employers include Walmart, McDonald’s, Target, UPS, Starbucks, and Amazon.com (as reported by Indeed.com).
Salaries and Wages
The average annual salary in Taunton, MA, is around $61,000, or approximately $29.33 per hour (as reported by Zippia as of September 2023). However, other sources indicate a slightly different average, with the average annual salary being $52,372 as of April 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median wage is reported at $47.2K per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
The highest paying jobs in Taunton include Medical Director, General Internist, and Internal Medicine Physician (as reported by Zippia). Salaries can vary significantly based on occupation, experience, and other factors, with the majority of salaries falling between $37,194 and $65,104 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
What is the Climate Like in Taunton?
Temperatures
Taunton, Massachusetts, experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasons. The average temperature ranges from a low of 19°F in January to a high of 83°F in July (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The warm season typically lasts from early June to mid-September, with daily high temperatures averaging above 74°F.
The cold season spans from early December to mid-March, with average daily high temperatures below 46°F. January is the coldest month, with average low temperatures around 22°F and average highs of 38°F. July is the hottest month, with average highs of 83°F and lows of 63°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Rainfall and Snowfall
Taunton receives a significant amount of precipitation throughout the year, with an average of 50 inches annually (as reported by myPerfectWeather). This precipitation is spread relatively evenly, though March tends to have the most rainfall, averaging about 5 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The city experiences moderate snowfall, with an average annual accumulation of 31 inches, peaking in January (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
The frequency of wet days, defined as those with over 0.04 inches of precipitation, averages around 27% throughout the year (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Rain alone is the most common form of precipitation, particularly in May, which sees an average of 9.2 days of rain (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
What are the Demographics of Taunton?
Population and Diversity
As of the most recent data, Taunton has a population of approximately 60,433 people (as reported by Data USA). The city is diverse, with the largest ethnic group being White (Non-Hispanic) residents, making up about 42.5% of the population (as reported by Data USA). Other significant groups include Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents and those of Two Races Including Other (Non-Hispanic).
The racial composition includes approximately 71.86% White, 7.93% Black or African American, and smaller percentages for other races (as reported by Taunton, Massachusetts – Wikipedia). Hispanic residents make up about 8.97% of the population (as reported by Data USA).
Age and Gender Distribution
The median age in Taunton is 38.9 years, with males having a median age of 37 years and females a median age of 40.8 years (as reported by Taunton, Massachusetts – Wikipedia). There is a slightly higher proportion of females, with approximately 92.1 males for every 100 females (as reported by Taunton, Massachusetts – Wikipedia).
Households led by residents aged 45 to 64 tend to have the highest median income, earning around $99,762 annually. Younger households, where the main provider is under 25, report a median income of $72,072 (as reported by Point2Homes).
Education and Citizenship
In terms of education, 43.6% of Taunton residents have a high school diploma, while 19.4% have pursued college studies (as reported by Point2Homes). A significant portion, 15.8%, holds a bachelor’s degree, and 6.9% have earned a master’s or doctorate degree (as reported by Point2Homes).
Citizenship is high in Taunton, with 94.4% of residents being U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA). The percentage of foreign-born residents is approximately 14.5%, which is close to the national average (as reported by Data USA).
What are the School Ratings in Taunton?
Public School Performance
Taunton, MA, is served by Taunton Public Schools, which has an overall Niche grade of B- (as reported by Niche). Public schools in Taunton have an average math proficiency score of 26% and a reading proficiency score of 33% (as reported by Niche). These scores are below the Massachusetts public school averages of 43% for math and 45% for reading.
The average ranking for schools in Taunton is 2 out of 10, placing them in the bottom 50% of Massachusetts public schools (as reported by Niche). The district has 13 schools serving approximately 8,018 students (as reported by Public School Review).
Top-Ranked Schools
Among the top-ranked public schools in Taunton are Bristol-Plymouth Vocational Technical, Taunton Alternative High School, and Benjamin Friedman Middle School (as reported by Niche and Public School Review). Bristol-Plymouth Vocational Technical is noted as a vocational school, while Taunton Alternative High School and Benjamin Friedman Middle School also appear on top-ranking lists.
Other schools mentioned with varying rankings include Edmund Hatch Bennett, Joseph C Chamberlain, Elizabeth Pole, and Taunton High School (as reported by Niche and Public School Review). Minority enrollment in Taunton’s public schools is 43% of the student body, which is slightly lower than the Massachusetts public school average (as reported by Niche).
Pros and Cons of Living in Taunton
Pros
Taunton offers a lower median rent compared to the national average, with rents being 2% lower than the U.S. average (as reported by Apartments.com). The city also boasts a competitive housing market, with homes selling faster than the previous year, indicating demand (as reported by Redfin). Furthermore, Taunton’s crime rate is reported by some sources to be lower than the national average, and the cost of crime per resident is less than the national and state averages (as reported by AreaVibes).
The city’s demographics indicate a diverse population, and a significant portion of residents hold high school diplomas or higher education degrees (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age of 38.9 years suggests a balanced mix of younger and older residents (as reported by Taunton, Massachusetts – Wikipedia).
Cons
Despite some positive aspects, Taunton’s cost of living is higher than the national average, driven by housing, transportation, and utility expenses (as reported by Salary.com). The city’s public schools, on average, have lower proficiency scores in math and reading compared to the state average (as reported by Niche).
Crime statistics present a mixed picture, with some data indicating higher-than-average violent crime rates and overall crime levels compared to the national average (as reported by Plumplot). The average salary in Taunton, while varied by source, is generally lower than in some surrounding areas.