Bristol County, Massachusetts
Among the top 10% of US counties for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade F, better than 5% of US counties
WeatherWeather: grade D, better than 25% of US counties
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 41% of US counties
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 90% of US counties
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 52% of US counties
- top 4% for airport distance
- top 5% for school quality
- bottom 4% for monthly owner costs
Bristol County is a county in Massachusetts with about 577,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and F for affordability. Standout strengths include airport distance, school quality, and walkability. It rates lower on estimated total tax burden and monthly owner costs.
Official websitecountyofbristol.net (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
very cold
cold
cool
comf.
warm
comf.
cool
cold
v.cold
57%45%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.4 in3.6 in
humid 100%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$81k88th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$53kbetter than 15% of US counties
Home Value$385k94th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 16% of US counties
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 4% of US counties
Property Tax Rate1.17%better than 28% of US counties
Income Tax9.00%better than 9% of US counties
Sales Tax6.25%better than 77% of US counties
Estimated total tax burden16.67%better than 5% of US counties
Unemployment5.7%better than 31% of US counties
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)30°F37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)72°F22nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation48.7 in68th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall33.1 inbetter than 26% of US counties
Sunny Days185 daysbetter than 8% of US counties
Summer Humidity63°Fbetter than 63% of US counties
Comfortable Days88 daysbetter than 73% of US counties
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk89.9better than 10% of US counties
Air Quality42 AQIbetter than 56% of US counties
School Quality100.0better than 96% of US counties
Violent Crime1307/100kbetter than 21% of US counties
Property Crime1044/100kbetter than 43% of US counties
Community
Population576,69996th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age41.046th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3459th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9618th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+1211th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)78.1%46th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)3.8%61st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)9.0%70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)2.3%86th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)6.8%88th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time28 minbetter than 24% of US counties
Walkability10.7/20better than 95% of US counties
Airport Distance18 mibetter than 96% of US counties
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.9%better than 73% of US counties
Amenities Nearby0.38better than 28% of US counties
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 59% of US counties
Frequently asked questions
- Is Bristol County an affordable place to live?
- Bristol County is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $53k, better than 15% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Bristol County?
- The median home value in Bristol County is $385k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Bristol County?
- Median household income in Bristol County is $81k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Bristol County?
- Median gross rent in Bristol County is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Bristol County safe?
- Bristol County is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1307/100k (better than 21%). Property crime is 1044/100k.
- What is the weather like in Bristol County?
- Bristol County averages 72°F in July and 30°F in January, with 48.7 in of annual precipitation and about 185 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Bristol County?
- Public-school quality in Bristol County is above average, scoring better than 96% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Bristol County?
- The average one-way commute in Bristol County is 28 min.
Other counties in Massachusetts
Explore Massachusetts
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)