Rows tagged local are specific to Valley Falls (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Providence, RI. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district Cumberland · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
101.5
metro-area
#151 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
98.4
metro-area
#147 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.78
metro-area
#151 of 200 metros
Median household income
$93,901
local
#1261 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$53,314
local
#970 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
40.6 years
metro-area
#158 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
35.0%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
14.3%
metro-area
#44 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
62.9%
metro-area
#144 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.83%
local
#374 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+0.1%
local
#2331 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$322,800
local
#1549 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.4×
local
#1144 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+3.1%
metro-area
#45 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$202
local
#1828 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,600 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,049
local
#552 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,912
Median days on market
10
metro-area
#52 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
11.4%
state
#147 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.00%
state
#64 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.99%
Capital gains tax
5.99%
state
#139 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Taxed — taxes Social Security benefits, but income thresholds and age rules exempt many retirees — check the state's own limits before assuming you would owe
Effective property tax rate
1.31%
local
#2171 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$4,219
local
#1864 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.3 years
metro-area
#56 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,600
state
#179 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
4.5%
metro-area
#12 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
81
metro-area
#79 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$13,000
state
#131 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$100
state
#83 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
1
Avg commute to work
23 min
local
#751 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
74.9%
metro-area
#94 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
37.1%
metro-area
#144 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
28.3¢/kWh
state
#164 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$255
state
#164 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.35/gal
state
#111 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$92
state
#185 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$80
state
#45 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$67
state
#10 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,700
state
#96 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,100
state
#126 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
82.4 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#42 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$900
state
#152 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
42
metro-area
#57 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
600
metro-area
#14 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
90%
state
#136 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
9
metro-area
#43 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
82°F
metro-area
#10 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
21°F
metro-area
#146 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
47.5"
metro-area
#146 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
36.6"
metro-area
#150 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
56%
metro-area
#132 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
240
state
#13 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,500
state
#32 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
18
metro-area
#180 of 200 metros
Parks
45
Hiking areas
3
Golf courses
4
Shooting ranges
2
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
4
state
#147 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.