Best Suburbs to Live in Massachusetts

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Best suburbs to live in Massachusetts

Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its . Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.

In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are and new headquarters in less urban areas.

compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Massachusetts using data from Niche's . Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.

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#30. Weston, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 771
- Population: 11,759
- Median household income: $250,001
- Median home value: $1,434,000 (87% own)
- Median rent: $2,072 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: Weston High School (grade A+), Newton North High School (grade A+), Wayland High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+)

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#29. Medway, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 748
- Population: 13,164
- Median household income: $165,614
- Median home value: $546,700 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,531 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A), Burke-Memorial Elementary (grade A), Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Mark's School (grade A+), Montrose School (grade A+), Bishop Feehan High School (grade A minus)

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#28. Needham, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 745
- Population: 31,957
- Median household income: $206,261
- Median home value: $1,076,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $2,133 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Needham High School (grade A+), Pollard Middle 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+)

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#27. Groton, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 720
- Population: 11,254
- Median household income: $186,333
- Median home value: $628,500 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,185 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Luther Conant School (grade A), Swallow Union Elementary School (grade A), Paul P. Gates Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Groton School (grade A+), Lawrence Academy (grade A+), Academy of Notre Dame - Upper School (grade A+)

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#26. Somerville, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 711
- Population: 80,464
- Median household income: $120,778
- Median home value: $860,500 (34% own)
- Median rent: $2,357 (66% rent)
- Top public schools: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), Arlington High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)

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#25. Andover, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 703
- Population: 36,389
- Median household income: $162,694
- Median home value: $756,600 (81% own)
- Median rent: $2,037 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: High Plain Elementary School (grade A), Wood Hill Middle School (grade A), The Birches Academy of Academics & Art (grade A)
- Top private schools: Phillips Academy Andover (grade A+), Brooks School (grade A+), St. John's Prep (grade A+)

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#24. Natick, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 702
- Population: 36,589
- Median household income: $133,605
- Median home value: $710,100 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,973 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A), Natick High School (grade A), Brown Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)

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#23. Pelham, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 683
- Population: 1,315
- Median household income: $104,667
- Median home value: $383,200 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,142 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Amherst Regional High School (grade A+), Amherst Regional Middle School (grade A), Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The MacDuffie School (grade A+), The Hartsbrook School (grade A), Eagle Hill School (grade A minus)

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#22. Boxborough, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 654
- Population: 5,462
- Median household income: $151,207
- Median home value: $653,300 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,726 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (grade A+), Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A), Luther Conant School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Groton School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+)

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#21. Milton, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 600
- Population: 28,450
- Median household income: $170,531
- Median home value: $838,100 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,454 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Glover Elementary School (grade A), Milton High School (grade A), Cunningham School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Milton Academy (grade A+)

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#20. Sherborn, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 587
- Population: 4,404
- Median household income: $242,688
- Median home value: $898,900 (92% own)
- Median rent: $2,234 (8% rent)
- Top public schools: Dover-Sherborn Regional High School (grade A+), Dover-Sherborn Regional Middle School (grade A+), Natick High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Sebastian's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+), Dana Hall School (grade A+)

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#19. Sudbury, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 566
- Population: 18,926
- Median household income: $234,427
- Median home value: $892,700 (92% own)
- Median rent: $2,013 (8% rent)
- Top public schools: Wayland High School (grade A+), Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (grade A+), Wayland Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: St. Mark's School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)

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#18. Medfield, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 508
- Population: 12,844
- Median household income: $215,099
- Median home value: $836,400 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,264 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: Medfield Senior High School (grade A), Dale Street School (grade A), Thomas Blake Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Sebastian's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+)

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#17. Cochituate, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 489
- Population: 6,937
- Median household income: $181,494
- Median home value: $808,600 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,739 (9% rent)
- Top public schools: Wayland High School (grade A+), Wayland Middle School (grade A+), Loker Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+)

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#16. Winchester, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 407
- Population: 22,809
- Median household income: $208,531
- Median home value: $1,149,600 (83% own)
- Median rent: $2,192 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Winchester High School (grade A+), Vinson-Owen Elementary School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Phillips Academy Andover (grade A+), Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)

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#15. Acton, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 406
- Population: 23,864
- Median household income: $150,482
- Median home value: $696,500 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,781 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (grade A+), Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A), Luther Conant School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Middlesex School (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+), Belmont Hill School (grade A+)

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#14. Cordaville, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 402
- Population: 2,884
- Median household income: $190,170
- Median home value: $711,800 (97% own)
- Median rent: $815 (3% rent)
- Top public schools: Algonquin Regional High School (grade A+), Albert S. Woodward Memorial School (grade A+), Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Mark's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+), Walnut Hill School for the Arts (grade A+)

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#13. Carlisle, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 396
- Population: 5,209
- Median household income: $247,656
- Median home value: $940,300 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,296 (6% rent)
- Top public schools: Concord Carlisle High School (grade A+), Carlisle School (grade A+), Luther Conant School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Middlesex School (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+), Lawrence Academy (grade A+)

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#12. Southborough, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 394
- Population: 10,421
- Median household income: $186,432
- Median home value: $740,000 (89% own)
- Median rent: $2,044 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: MA Academy for Math & Science School (grade A+), Algonquin Regional High School (grade A+), Albert S. Woodward Memorial School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: St. Mark's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+), Bancroft School (grade A+)

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#11. Westford, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 326
- Population: 24,524
- Median household income: $174,424
- Median home value: $672,200 (88% own)
- Median rent: $2,477 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Academy for Science & Design High School (grade A+), Westford Academy (grade A+), Academy for Science & Design Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Groton School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)

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#10. Wellesley, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 292
- Population: 29,862
- Median household income: $250,001
- Median home value: $1,424,400 (84% own)
- Median rent: $2,637 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Wellesley Senior High School (grade A+), John D. Hardy Elementary School (grade A+), Hunnewell Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+)

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#9. Arlington, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 265
- Population: 45,906
- Median household income: $136,312
- Median home value: $839,200 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,902 (39% rent)
- Top public schools: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), Luther Conant School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+)

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#8. Hopkinton, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 252
- Population: 18,748
- Median household income: $191,439
- Median home value: $704,600 (87% own)
- Median rent: $2,283 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: Hopkinton High School (grade A+), Hopkinton Middle School (grade A+), Elmwood School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: St. Mark's School (grade A+), Worcester Academy (grade A+), Saint John's High School (grade A+)

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#7. Sharon, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 220
- Population: 18,473
- Median household income: $181,545
- Median home value: $665,000 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,991 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: Sharon High School (grade A+), Sharon Middle School (grade A+), Heights Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Milton Academy (grade A+), St. Sebastian's School (grade A+)

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#6. Wayland, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 218
- Population: 13,821
- Median household income: $208,750
- Median home value: $862,700 (92% own)
- Median rent: $1,469 (8% rent)
- Top public schools: Wayland High School (grade A+), Wayland Middle School (grade A+), Loker Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+)

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#5. Belmont, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 187
- Population: 26,997
- Median household income: $164,918
- Median home value: $1,060,600 (63% own)
- Median rent: $2,339 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Belmont High School (grade A+), Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Daniel Butler School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+)

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#4. Lexington, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 176
- Population: 34,221
- Median household income: $206,323
- Median home value: $1,085,000 (83% own)
- Median rent: $2,818 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Lexington High School (grade A+), Bowman Elementary School (grade A+), Maria Hastings Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)

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#3. Newton, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 141
- Population: 88,453
- Median household income: $176,373
- Median home value: $1,136,200 (70% own)
- Median rent: $2,252 (30% 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+), St. Mark's School (grade A+)

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#2. Cambridge, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 39
- Population: 117,962
- Median household income: $121,539
- Median home value: $997,600 (34% own)
- Median rent: $2,628 (66% 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+)

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#1. Brookline, Massachusetts

- Overall Rank: 4
- Population: 62,698
- Median household income: $130,600
- Median home value: $1,181,200 (46% own)
- Median rent: $2,702 (54% rent)
- Top public schools: Brookline High School (grade A+), Heath School (grade A+), Lawrence School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.

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