From high-end public schools to an affordable cost of living, competitive home prices, and more, Massachusetts towns like Chicopee
, Harvard, and Wayland are some of the best places to live in this northeastern state. Massachusetts
has long been an East Coast hub, thanks to the ever-popular city of Boston
and the state’s deep historical roots. Though the state may be one of the oldest in the country, a new wave of high-tech workers, not to mention its strong agriculture, trade, and fishing economies, have drawn newcomers to get their share of the thriving economy. Though you may be moving here for the world-famous seafood (we wouldn’t blame you) or to attend one of the top-notch universities, finding a good place to live from among the state’s 351 cities and towns can feel like an impossible task.
That’s why Jerry
is here to help. Not only does the insurance super app
believe that finding good car insurance
should take less than a minute, but it also believes that choosing a place to live should be a piece of cake. That’s why we created this guide to help you discover the best places to live in Massachusetts
based on your preferences, priorities, and circumstances. So without further ado, let’s dive into some of the best towns in the Bay State.
What makes a good place to live?
Whether you’re new to the Bay State or are just wanting a change from your current Massachusetts town, deciding on a place to live can be tough. When you’re considering median household income, neighborhood crime rates, median home price, grocery, and gas prices, it seems like the list of things that goes into choosing your new hometown feels endless.
That’s why we did the heavy lifting for you and rounded up the eight best Massachusetts towns to live in. No need to stress if you’re a city lover—on this list you’ll find a fair mix of small-town charm with big-city excitement.
And, you can rest easy knowing that this list was built based on data. We came up with our top towns based on the following:
Based on these metrics, you’ll find each of the eight Massachusetts towns has been grouped into one of three categories: the best places for families, the most affordable places to live, and the best places to buy a house. Without further ado, let’s dive into the best places to live in the Bay State!
The best places for families to live in Massachusetts
Whether you have kids already or are looking to start a family of your own, Massachusetts’ small towns are among some of the country’s best for raising children. The most important factors we considered were the quality of schools and crime rates.
These three Massachusetts towns excel in both categories and have even more perks to their name.
Wayland
Location: Middlesex County
Median household income: $142,306
Median home price: $878,200
A mere 20 miles west of the hustle and bustle of Boston lies the serene town of Wayland, a historic, 17th-century town that is perfect for families. Families love Wayland because of its focus on education—the average class size is 13.5 students per teacher, not to mention the school district’s budget of $18,584 per student (about $6,000 more than the national average).
Wayland also boasts a crime rate of 6.55%, which is lower than the state and national averages. What’s more is that this rate has been falling consistently in recent years, making Wayland a safe haven for families in the Boston metro area.
The outdoors abound in Middlesex County, from the Great Meadows National Wildlife Habitat to the nearby Hamlen Woods and Wayland Town Beach. If your family is not the outdoorsy type, the Wayland Historical Society and nearby Minute Man National Historical Park offer a step back in history.
Plus, there are fun events year-round, including the Wayland Fishing Derby in the fall, the Halloween Parade, and the annual Touch-a-Truck event.
Newtonville
Location: Middlesex County
Median household income: $160,147
Median home price: $902,574
This neighborhood is one of thirteen villages within the larger city of Newton
, and it offers a dense suburban feel with a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. This is a family-friendly area, so newcomers can easily connect with others in the community. But don’t worry about getting bored—Boston is 20 minutes away, making city outings a doable day trip. A stellar public school system adds to the family appeal of Newtonville, which ranks in the top 10% of Massachusetts’ public schools. Plus, class sizes average at 12 students per teacher, guaranteeing specialized attention and support from Pre-K through high school.
The most affordable places to live in Massachusetts
When finding a new place to live, one of the biggest factors to consider is the cost of living. Though the cost of living in Massachusetts is higher than the national average, these three towns are a good choice if you’re looking for an affordable place to live.
We considered the town’s overall cost of living, including the average time spent commuting (which impacts your average cost of fuel).
Palmer Town
Median household income: $64,651
Median home price: $197,000
Found in the south central part of Massachusetts, Palmer Town boasts the state’s best home price to income ratios—the median home cost is three times the town’s median income, the most affordable ratio in Massachusetts. Palmer Town is equally good for renters (the median rent is $962).
Palmer Town is a short 20-mile drive to Springfield
(approximately 25-minutes of car time) and 25-miles from Westfield (approximately 30 minutes on the road). There’s plenty to do around the town too—go on a shopping spree at the popular Yankee Flea Market, which is open seven days a week, year-round. North Adams
Location: Berkshire County
Median household income: $49,123
Median home price: $149,300
Near the New Hampshire
border, you’ll find the town of North Adams
, which is ideal for anyone looking for an affordable place to live. With the second-cheapest home price to income ratio in Massachusetts, North Adams also boasts the 17th cheapest income to rent ratio in the state. The median rent is $782, more than three times cheaper than the state’s average. Surrounded by state parks, trailheads, and other free outdoor escapes, even the most budget-conscious resident will be able to take advantage of the outdoor activities. Though the town is 160 miles from Boston’s city life, Albany
, New York
is just an hour’s drive away. Though North Adams is far from cities, residents benefit from less expensive car insurance than the rest of Massachusetts—the average cost of car insurance in North Adams is $286 less than the state’s annual average cost of$2,731. What’s more, is that you could save even more by using Jerry
to find the cheapest policy
! Chicopee
Median household income: $52,702
Median home price: $188,400
The second largest city in western Massachusetts, Chicopee has a home price to income ratio of 3.6x (the state’s sixth most affordable ratio). Though the rent is still below the state’s average cost, at $941 per month, the low median home price makes buying in Chicopee the more economical choice.
Located along the Connecticut River, Chicopee Memorial State Park is nearby, offering free hiking trails and picnic areas. Chicopee is also the home of Westover Air Force Base home, which features the biannual Great New England Air Show—a free event that draws countless spectators from throughout the region.
Best places to buy a house in Massachusetts
Maybe you’re starting to think about putting down roots somewhere—before committing to a property, it is important to consider the area’s housing market and climate. To help you understand the ins and outs of your future hometown, we looked to Realtor.com for housing market summaries and the FEMA Risk Index.
Pelham
Location: Hampshire County
Median household income: $88,462
Median home price: $366,400
Pelham is a quaint town located 90 miles from Boston. Not short of small-town charm, Pelham’s population has slowly grown by 2.5% in recent years as more people discovered this peaceful enclave. It is surrounded by state parks, large swaths of forestland, and holds 300 years of history, so Pelham does not lack in things to do.
The median home price is lower than the state’s median of $535,000. Not only will you save money by purchasing in Hampshire County, but the home appreciation has been 4.1% since 2012.
Plus, you can rest easy knowing that your home is not in a high-risk area—the FEMA risk index is relatively low at 8.6 and is less than the national average index of 10.6. This will help lower the cost of homeowner’s insurance
. Harvard
Location: Worcester County
Median household income: $131,563
Median home price: $752,800
Not to be confused with the university of the same name, Harvard is located 25-miles northwest of Boston. Offering an equal dose of tranquil landscapes, coffee shops, restaurants, and parks, Harvard offers a small-town feel without sacrificing access to big-city attractions. And, the FEMA risk index is 10.26, slightly lower than the national risk index of 10.60.
Most Harvard residents own their house—home appreciation has been 6.1% over the past ten years. Though you can expect a higher-than-average cost of living, the town boasts numerous attractions like the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, Fruitlands Museum, and the Shaker Hills Golf Course. Plus, the town maintains an active list
of organizations, providing an easy way to get involved with the community. Wayland
Location: Middlesex County
Median household income: $142,306
Median home price: $878,200
Not only does Wayland top our list of best places to live for families, but it also is a prime spot if you’re looking to put down roots. The population in this Boston suburb has been slowly growing as well, increasing by 6.5% in 2020. It has local wildlife sanctuaries and community events, all within 30 minutes of the big city’s buzz.
However, be ready for a competitive market—along with an increasing population, the demand for houses is higher than what’s currently available. Generally, houses in Wayland sell for six percent more than the original asking price. That said, you can anticipate finding lower home insurance rates
because it is a relatively low-risk area on FEMA’s risk index score. If you’re still not convinced, Wayland is a haven for families—a generous school district budget and small class sizes make the education system one of the best in the state. Plus, the town is incredibly safe, as proven by a steadily decreasing crime rate of 6.55%.
How to find affordable homeowners and car insurance in Massachusetts
Whether you’re a city-lover, suburban dweller, or at ease in the country, it’s a good idea to have a homeowners insurance policy
that will protect your new dwelling and belongings in the case the worst happens. Fortunately, Massachusetts has a relatively low risk of natural disasters, so you’ll likely find insurance rates that are lower than in high-risk parts of the country. No matter where you choose to live, saving money on home and car insurance should be easy. That’s why Jerry
is here to help. All you need to do to start saving money is download the app, enter some basic info, and let the super app
do the heavy lifting of pulling competitive insurance quotes
. After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will then handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. The super app can even help bundle your homeowners and car insurance
so that you can save even more! You’ll be well on your way to having the right coverage for your situation along with $800+ in savings. “When using Jerry
, I was impressed at how their representative took care of my situation. He was so knowledgeable about my state’s insurance laws!” —Rabi B.
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