Either-Or: A Northampton Victorian vs. a South End One Bedroom

Welcome to Either-Or, where we compare two listings with the same price—one in Boston and one outside. Build your own conclusions.

Northampton Victorian photo via Zillow. South End one bedroom photo via Redfin.

Boston is expensive.

You know it, we know it, everyone knows it—so if you’re not batting an eyelash at the exorbitant housing costs in the city, it’s understandable. You’re probably accustomed to all of those dollar signs.

Have no fear, for we’re here to remind you that Boston’s price tags are truly a special breed by presenting two homes listed at the same price.

The first is an elegant Victorian in Northampton. Built in 1900, it’s situated close to Northampton’s charming downtown area just outside of Smith College’s campus. The second is a one-bedroom unit in the South End. The space is sunny, modern, and five times smaller than the home in Western Mass. Both are asking $779,000.

The yellow Victorian boasts stained glass windows, pocket doors, and hand-carved bookcases in the library. In addition to five bedrooms, the home includes a finished office and a spacious attic. The highlight is a lush garden surrounding the house that can be enjoyed from the porch or the gazebo.

The unit in the South End, on the other hand, offers a few different but still substantial amenities. In the bedroom, there’s a walk-in closet and French doors that open to a Juliet balcony. The kitchen contains sleek-looking appliances as well as a breakfast bar.

While the South End one bedroom does include in-unit laundry, would a yard with room for multiple clotheslines get more bang for its buck?