Best places to live in Massachusetts
An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.
Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Massachusetts using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.
Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.
#30. Bay Village, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 1,331
- Population: 1,251
- Median household income: $250,001
- Median home value: $1,205,400 (28% own)
- Median rent: $2,068 (72% rent)
- Top public schools: Boston Latin School (grade A+), Boston Latin Academy (grade A), O'Bryant School of Math & Science (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Milton Academy (grade A+)
#29. North End, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 1,290
- Population: 9,856
- Median household income: $119,930
- Median home value: $897,349 (23% own)
- Median rent: $2,545 (77% rent)
- Top public schools: Boston Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), Boston Latin Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Belmont Hill School (grade A+)
#28. Newton Centre, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 1,208
- Population: 6,170
- Median household income: $225,842
- Median home value: $1,480,949 (85% own)
- Median rent: $2,815 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: Newton North High School (grade A+), Newton South High School (grade A+), Ward Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
#27. Back Bay, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 1,052
- Population: 18,364
- Median household income: $121,150
- Median home value: $1,571,945 (31% own)
- Median rent: $2,682 (69% rent)
- Top public schools: Boston Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), Boston Latin Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Milton Academy (grade A+)
#26. Northborough, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 865
- Population: 15,647
- Median household income: $160,801
- Median home value: $548,400 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,920 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: MA Academy for Math & Science School (grade A+), Algonquin Regional High School (grade A+), Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Mark's School (grade A+), Bancroft School (grade A+), Worcester Academy (grade A+)
#25. Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 789
- Population: 5,239
- Median household income: $173,290
- Median home value: $1,032,936 (71% own)
- Median rent: $2,127 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Newton North High School (grade A+), Newton South High School (grade A+), Wellesley Senior High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
#24. Thompsonville, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 776
- Population: 4,950
- Median household income: $171,464
- Median home value: $1,003,710 (72% own)
- Median rent: $2,703 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Newton South High School (grade A+), Heath School (grade A+), Charles E. Brown Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
#23. Cambridge Highlands, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 765
- Population: 3,952
- Median household income: $111,920
- Median home value: $930,192 (46% own)
- Median rent: $2,702 (54% rent)
- Top public schools: Belmont High School (grade A+), Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Mary Lee Burbank School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)
#22. Newton Highlands, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 745
- Population: 9,852
- Median household income: $168,131
- Median home value: $1,124,182 (70% own)
- Median rent: $2,651 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Newton South High School (grade A+), Needham High School (grade A+), Mason Rice Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
#21. Strawberry Hill, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 640
- Population: 4,899
- Median household income: $141,481
- Median home value: $798,713 (42% own)
- Median rent: $2,488 (58% rent)
- Top public schools: Belmont High School (grade A+), Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Mary Lee Burbank School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Belmont Hill School (grade A+)
#20. Nonantum, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 638
- Population: 15,783
- Median household income: $133,659
- Median home value: $841,824 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,998 (48% rent)
- Top public schools: Newton North High School (grade A+), F.A. Day Middle School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
#19. Newton Corner, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 633
- Population: 5,004
- Median household income: $195,541
- Median home value: $1,279,695 (72% own)
- Median rent: $2,596 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Boston Latin School (grade A+), Newton North High School (grade A+), Ward Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
#18. Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 563
- Population: 9,737
- Median household income: $231,541
- Median home value: $1,756,840 (72% own)
- Median rent: $2,460 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Boston Latin School (grade A+), Newton North High School (grade A+), Newton South High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
#17. Auburndale, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 543
- Population: 9,990
- Median household income: $157,393
- Median home value: $1,063,656 (60% own)
- Median rent: $2,218 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Newton North High School (grade A+), Newton South High School (grade A+), F.A. Day Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+)
#16. Oak Hill Park, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 529
- Population: 1,126
- Median household income: $206,458
- Median home value: $810,000 (100% own)
- Median rent: $294 (% rent)
- Top public schools: Boston Latin School (grade A+), Newton South High School (grade A+), Needham High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), The Roxbury Latin School (grade A+)
#15. West Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 523
- Population: 9,351
- Median household income: $157,278
- Median home value: $1,551,724 (63% own)
- Median rent: $2,745 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Boston Latin School (grade A+), Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)
#14. North Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 489
- Population: 21,631
- Median household income: $142,693
- Median home value: $1,021,005 (33% own)
- Median rent: $2,539 (67% rent)
- Top public schools: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), John M. Tobin Montessori School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)
#13. West Newton, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 451
- Population: 17,149
- Median household income: $173,322
- Median home value: $1,247,205 (57% own)
- Median rent: $2,335 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Newton North High School (grade A+), Newton South High School (grade A+), F.A. Day Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
#12. Westborough, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 438
- Population: 21,360
- Median household income: $133,145
- Median home value: $601,900 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,937 (39% rent)
- Top public schools: MA Academy for Math & Science School (grade A+), Westborough High School (grade A+), J. Harding Armstrong Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: St. Mark's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+), Bancroft School (grade A+)
#11. Williamstown, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 399
- Population: 7,630
- Median household income: $102,545
- Median home value: $419,800 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,217 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Williamstown Elementary School (grade A), Mt. Greylock Regional High School (grade A minus), Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Buxton School (grade A+), Darrow School (grade A+), Hoosac School (grade A+)
#10. Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 373
- Population: 38,734
- Median household income: $127,088
- Median home value: $512,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,841 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: MA Academy for Math & Science School (grade A+), Spring Street Elementary School (grade A+), Shrewsbury Senior High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: St. Mark's School (grade A+), Bancroft School (grade A+), Worcester Academy (grade A+)
#9. Newtonville, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 347
- Population: 5,342
- Median household income: $167,202
- Median home value: $1,095,719 (68% own)
- Median rent: $2,567 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Newton North High School (grade A+), Newton South High School (grade A+), Mason Rice Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
#8. The Port, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 241
- Population: 6,970
- Median household income: $100,043
- Median home value: $874,426 (25% own)
- Median rent: $2,220 (75% rent)
- Top public schools: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), John M. Tobin Montessori School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Belmont Hill School (grade A+)
#7. Peabody, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 199
- Population: 13,088
- Median household income: $125,225
- Median home value: $1,048,014 (42% own)
- Median rent: $2,585 (58% rent)
- Top public schools: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), John M. Tobin Montessori School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)
#6. Riverside, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 192
- Population: 11,930
- Median household income: $96,594
- Median home value: $1,196,843 (23% own)
- Median rent: $2,344 (77% rent)
- Top public schools: Boston Latin School (grade A+), Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Belmont Hill School (grade A+)
#5. Agassiz, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 182
- Population: 8,893
- Median household income: $146,637
- Median home value: $1,398,615 (32% own)
- Median rent: $2,652 (68% rent)
- Top public schools: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), John M. Tobin Montessori School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Belmont Hill School (grade A+)
#4. Wellington-Harrington, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 140
- Population: 7,745
- Median household income: $104,232
- Median home value: $947,566 (29% own)
- Median rent: $2,288 (71% rent)
- Top public schools: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), John M. Tobin Montessori School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Belmont Hill School (grade A+)
#3. East Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 83
- Population: 13,279
- Median household income: $119,408
- Median home value: $927,649 (28% own)
- Median rent: $2,863 (72% rent)
- Top public schools: Boston Latin School (grade A+), Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Belmont Hill School (grade A+)
#2. Mid-Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 70
- Population: 15,300
- Median household income: $120,945
- Median home value: $1,085,182 (33% own)
- Median rent: $2,555 (67% rent)
- Top public schools: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), John M. Tobin Montessori School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Belmont Hill School (grade A+)
#1. Cambridgeport, Massachusetts
- Overall Rank: 30
- Population: 13,671
- Median household income: $126,707
- Median home value: $997,151 (33% own)
- Median rent: $2,433 (67% rent)
- Top public schools: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), John M. Tobin Montessori School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Belmont Hill School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.
