There are so many great places to live in Massachusetts, from modern areas to towns and cities that are rich in history. As a Massachusetts local, I’ve been able to enjoy the many perks of being a resident.
The Bay State has outdoor amenities, renowned universities, a thriving cultural scene, a rich history, and so many fun things to do.
In this guide, I share my recommendations for where to live in Massachusetts. I cover home values, livability factors, and the atmosphere of each area. Here’s a look at some of the best places to live in Massachusetts!
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13 Best Places to Live in Massachusetts
Boston
The capital city of Massachusetts is highly walkable, historic, and full of things to do.
🏠 Population: 4,344,000 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 City of Boston | 🏫 Boston Public Schools | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Boston may feel like a small town to some people, but it offers the perks of a big city. Boston is dotted with historical sites such as those found along the Freedom Trail. Residents have access to a diverse restaurant scene and many cultural museums and institutions.
Boston is one of the most walkable cities in the country. The MBTA offers residents a comprehensive transportation system with rail, subway, bus, and ferry services.
The capital of Massachusetts is home to people from all walks of life. Doctors, engineers, families, and students live in the city for its cultural scene and world-class college campuses.
Boston is notorious for being an expensive metro area. Prices vary based on the area of Boston you’re in. The median home price is $984,000.
Brookline
This city has an inclusive community and lots of local culture.
🏠 Population: 62,620 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 Town of Brookline | 🏫 Public Schools of Brookline | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Brookline combines the best of urban and suburban living. The city is home to young professionals, students, and young families.
Many residents love to spend their weeknights at Coolidge Corner. This bustling hub caters to shoppers and diners at the corner of Beacon and Harvard Street.
Brookline is green, leafy, and walkable. The city borders Boston and offers its residents quick commute times. 30% of residents commute to work and are served by the Green Line and trolly system.
There is a variety of housing options with lots of rentals. The median selling price for a home is $1.5 million.
Cambridge
This city is home to some of the world’s most prestigious colleges and universities.
🏠 Population: 115,881 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 City of Cambridge | 🏫 Cambridge Public Schools District | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Cambridge is a charming Massachusetts city across the Charles River from Boston. It is home to the world’s top universities, Harvard and MIT.
Cambridge is a walkable city built for pedestrians. It contains more than 80 parks and playgrounds. It’s a wonderful place to reside for young families, students, and career professionals.
The diverse and innovative city has a strong local economy. It is a hub for thriving medical and technology fields. The median price for a home is $1.4 million.
Newton
A diverse city with lush green spaces located outside of Boston.
🏠 Population: 85,157 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 City of Newton | 🏫 Newton Public Schools | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Newton is a spacious city bordered by natural reserves. It offers a peaceful historic ambiance and is a quieter alternative to Boston.
The vibrant community boasts diverse demographics. Recent Boston College grads and young professionals reside in Newton. They enjoy the well-preserved charm of the city and an easy commute by train into Boston. The median cost of a home is around $788,500.
Winthrop
This historic coastal suburb offers incredible views of the Boston Skyline.
🏠 Population: 19,088 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 Town of Winthrop | 🏫 Winthrop Public Schools | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Winthrop is a historic and unique beach town located less than 20 minutes from Boston. It is one of the oldest communities in the U.S. and has become one of the most desirable suburbs to live in.
I live in Winthrop and love being by the sea. The city offers an urban and suburban mix. The average home has a cost of $557,944.
Many young professionals live in the Winthrop area. Residents have access to beaches, many restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. One of my favorite destinations is Deer Island. It offers trails, outdoor picnic areas, and lovely views of the Boston skyline.
📚 Related Reading: Best Time to Visit Massachusetts
Dedham
This suburban town located southwest of Boston is abundant in recreational activities.
🏠 Population: 25,308 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 Town of Dedham | 🏫 Dedham Public Schools | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Dedham is a town located in Norfolk County and offers a dense suburban feel. It is conveniently located offering residents easy access to city life.
Dedham is considered one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. It offers plenty of parks, trails, and outdoor spaces. Residents enjoy its historical charm and modern amenities.
The town has a welcoming community of young professionals and retirees. There are a variety of housing options. These include single-family homes, condos, and townhomes. The median home value is $670,366.
Peabody
This city is known for its connection to the Salem Witch Trials.
🏠 Population: 53,542 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 City of Peabody | 🏫 Peabody Public Schools | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Peabody is located in the Boston Metro area and borders the legendary city of Salem. It is known for its industrial history and its connection to the 1692 Salem Witch Trials.
Peabody is a largely developed residential area with parks and lakes. It is full of quaint neighborhoods, attractions, and incredible restaurants. A popular destination is the North Shore Mall. It consists of 160 stores dispersed on two levels.
There is an urban-suburban mix for residents. Many young professionals and retirees reside in Peabody. The median price for a home is $585,000.
Somerville
Young professionals enjoy this city with a unique personality, located just minutes from Boston.
🏠 Population: 77,800 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 City Website | 🏫 Somerville Public Schools | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Somerville is a city with a quirky culture and a unique personality. It is deeply rooted in Revolutionary history, but today, the city has an innovative atmosphere.
I love to hang out in Somerville. The city is dotted with trendy bars, restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and outdoor spaces. It has a vibrant nightlife and a bustling tech economy. It is one of the best places for young professionals to live and has an urban-suburban vibe.
Somerville has easy access to Cambridge and Boston. There are plenty of public transportation options for getting in and out of the city.
There is something for everyone in Somerville. The city offers diverse housing options. Although most residents rent, the median home value is $970,000.
Lexington
This city is considered the “Birthplace of American Liberty.”
🏠 Population: 34,235 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 Town of Lexington | 🏫 Lexington Public Schools District | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Lexington is a Boston suburb that allows you to travel back in history. The famous story of Lexington began at the first shots of the American Revolutionary War. You can see the iconic Minute Man Statue at the Lexington Battle Green.
Many visitors enjoy strolling through Lexington’s charming downtown. The city is filled with historic colonial houses, restaurants, coffee shops, and ample outdoor spaces.
This city is one of the most popular areas to live in Massachusetts due to its proximity to the Back Bay and Kendall Square neighborhoods in Boston. You can also reach Cape Cod in an hour and a half.
Lexington is a wonderful town for rest and recreation. Retirees particularly love Lexington. The median home value is $1,462,333.
Haverhill
This Northeastern Massachusetts city boasts a diverse community.
🏠 Population: 66,708 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 City of Haverhill | 🏫 Haverhill Public Schools | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Haverhill is a suburb of Boston that has a diverse community with many ethnic cultures being represented. Haverhill is also my hometown!
Haverhill offers countryside landscapes and a lively urban downtown. The city has many wonderful farms. I always stop by Kimball Farm to feed the llamas and pet the horses whenever I visit.
Many families and young professionals live in Haverhill. Residents are a 40-minute drive to Boston or a 60-minute ride on the commuter rail into North Station. The median home price in Haverhill is $478,266.
Springfield
One of the most affordable places to live in Massachusetts.
🏠 Population: 153,267 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 City of Springfield | 🏫 Springfield Public Schools | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Springfield has homes that are more affordable in comparison to Boston. The median home value is $275,000. The city offers an abundance of newer and historic homes. It also offers some of the best healthcare and education in the state.
Springfield is a good place for young families, millennials, and retirees. More than 40 languages are spoken in this diverse city.
Springfield is also great for those who enjoy hiking, swimming, and boating. It is home to Forest Park which is one of the largest parks in the country. This Victorian Garden has 735 acres of nature and recreation.
Worcester
The second largest city in New England has good job opportunities and affordable housing.
🏠 Population: 205,272 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 City of Worcester | 🏫 Worcester Public Schools | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Worcester is the second largest city in New England. It’s home to a vibrant and diverse community. Worcester is nicknamed “The Heart of the Commonwealth” due to its central location.
Worcester is a metro area with rolling hills an hour’s drive west of Boston. Its diverse neighborhoods offer a variety of atmospheres and experiences to its residents.
There are plenty of family-friendly activities, job opportunities, and affordable housing in Worcester. Young professionals and students are drawn to downtown. Families will enjoy the city’s parks, lakes, and playgrounds.
Worcester offers excellent cultural attractions with the Worcester Art Museum, restaurants, and concert and theater venues. The median home price is $379,900.
👉 Pro Tip: Worcester is pronounced “Wuh-Stah.”
Marblehead
This affluent seaside town with beautiful beaches is a famous suburb of Boston.
🏠 Population: 20,397 |📍 Google Maps | 🌆 Town of Marblehead | 🏫 Marblehead Public Schools | 👉 Browse Hotels on Booking for Your Scouting Trip
Marblehead is a charming city located 16 miles northeast of Boston. It is considered to be one of the best places to live in Massachusetts.
The seaside town is home to scenic landscapes and unique architecture. You will find Colonial-era residences, restaurants, coffee shops, and quiet parks. The beaches in this area are especially stunning.
Many retirees live in Marblehead. The living cost is 65% higher than the national average. Just note that Boston is hard to access from Marblehead. There is no commuter rail service in the area. So, plan to commute into Boston accordingly to avoid traffic.
FAQs About Living in Massachusetts
What are some family-friendly places to live in Massachusetts?
Some family-friendly places to live in Massachusetts are Newton,Lexington, and Brookline. These areas are lush in outdoor spaces with plenty of parks and playgrounds to explore.
What are good places to live in Massachusetts for young adults?
Some good places to live in Massachusetts for young adults are Cambridge,Somerville, and Brookline. These cities offer a quick commute into Boston and have innovative communities.
What are some affordable places to live in Massachusetts?
An affordable place to live in Massachusetts is Springfield. The home values are more affordable in comparison to Boston.
What are the best small towns in Massachusetts?
The best small towns to live in Massachusetts are Lexington,Newton, and Marblehead. All of these towns have preserved their tranquil and historic atmospheres.
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I hope this guide helped you discover the best places to live in Massachusetts. There truly is a place to call home for everyone in The Bay State. Next up, be sure to read my guide to the best places to visit Massachusetts.
(Featured Image Credit: Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock)
