8 Most Affordable Springfield, MA, Suburbs to Live In

Springfield, MA, “The City of Firsts,” is swiftly becoming home for many Bay Staters. In fact, Springfield is also home to about 156,000 people. 

And if you’re considering living in Springfield, there are four things you should know. The housing market is very competitive, the median home sale price is $661,000, the average sale price per square foot is $178, and the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment in Springfield is $1,150.

If those prices don’t fit into your budget, don’t worry. We’ve collected the 8 most affordable Springfield, MA, suburbs to consider living in. And the best part is that they’re all less than 30 minutes away from the city center. You’ll be close enough to explore all of Springfield’s best activities without paying the price of city life.

#1: Chicopee

Median home price: $270,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $194 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,450 
Driving distance from Springfield: 10 minutes
Chicopee, MA homes for sale
Chicopee, MA apartments for rent

Chicopee, with a median home sale price of $270,000 takes the number one spot on our list of affordable Springfield suburbs. About a 10-minute drive from downtown Springfield, Chicopee is home to roughly 55,600 people. If you’re considering moving to this area, make sure to walk or bike along the Chicopee River, get outdoors at one of Chicopee’s many parks, including Chicopee Memorial State Park, and check out the unique shops and restaurants in the Cabotville Historic District.

#2: Holyoke

Median home price: $280,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $157 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $734 
Driving distance from Springfield: 15 minutes
Holyoke, MA homes for sale
Holyoke, MA apartments for rent

Holyoke is just a little more expensive than Chicopee. About a 15-minute drive from downtown Springfield, you can visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in just a quick drive. Make sure to visit the Holyoke Heritage State Park or Ashley Reservoir, hike up Mount Tom, check out the Dinosaur footprints attraction, or explore the Wistariahurst Museum.

#3: Agawam

Median home price: $289,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $226 
Driving distance from Springfield: 8 minutes
Agawam, MA homes for sale
Agawam, MA apartments for rent

Just 8 minutes away from Springfield, you’ll find the suburb of Agawam. Even with a population of about 28,700, there are plenty of unique spots to visit in Agawam. If you find yourself moving here, take a walk or bike ride along the Connecticut River, play a round of golf at one of the many courses, and check out Robinson State Park. 

#4: West Springfield

Median home price: $289,900 
Average sale price per square foot: $219 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,367 
Driving distance from Springfield: 8 minutes
West Springfield, MA homes for sale
West Springfield, MA apartments for rent

A little more expensive than Agawam is West Springfield, the next suburb on our list. With roughly 28,800 residents in this Springfield, MA, suburb, make sure to visit The Big E, grab a meal at one of the riverfront restaurants and cafes, or explore Bear Hole Reservoir.

#5: Palmer Town

Median home price: $300,250 
Average sale price per square foot: $203 
Driving distance from Springfield: 25 minutes
Palmer Town, MA homes for sale
Palmer Town, MA apartments for rent

Drive 25 minutes outside of Springfield and you’ll find the suburb of Palmer Town, another great area to add to your list. With 12,400 people living in this affordable town, Palmer Town is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Springfield without paying the premium for a home in the city. Living in Palmer Town, you can spend the afternoon at one of the many parks and green spaces in the city, check out Forest Lake, and walk through the charming downtown.

#6: Amherst Town

Median home price: $392,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $221 
Driving distance from Springfield: 30 minutes
Amherst Town, MA homes for sale
Amherst Town, MA apartments for rent

Another noteworthy Springfield, MA, suburb is Amherst Town, where you’ll find the home prices are about $200K less than in Springfield. With just about 39,300 people living in Amherst Town, it’s a great suburb to consider renting or buying a house in. Whether you visit the Amherst Museum and the Emily Dickinson Museum, take a walk or bike ride through the town or Amherst State Park, visit the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus or pick up a pastry at a local bakery, there are many cool things to do and see in this suburb. 

#7: Longmeadow

Median home price: $442,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $240 
Driving distance from Springfield: 8 minutes
Longmeadow, MA homes for sale
Longmeadow, MA apartments for rent

Coming in seventh place on our list of affordable Springfield, MA, suburbs is Longmeadow, which is roughly an 8-minute drive into the heart of the city. With a population of close to 15,900, you’ll live in a smaller area, but there’s no shortage of things to experience in Longmeadow. If you’re going to call this suburb home, plan time to visit the Longmeadow Historical Society & Museum, stroll through Longmeadow’s Main Street, and check out the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge.

#8: Wilbraham

Median home price: $450,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $244 
Driving distance from Springfield: 20 minutes
Wilbraham, MA homes for sale
Wilbraham, MA apartments for rent

Last but not least on our list of most affordable Springfield suburbs is Wilbraham. About 4,000 people reside in Wilbraham, so you’ll have a fraction of Springfield’s population while remaining only 20 minutes from the city. Living in Wilbraham, check out one of the many parks like Rice Nature Preserve or Fountain Park, visit museums like the Wilbraham Children’s Museum or the Old Meeting House, and enjoy a meal at one of Wilbraham’s great restaurants.

Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Springfield and under a 30-minute drive from downtown Springfield. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com November 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.

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