2021 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts

About this List

Explore the best suburbs to buy a house based on home values, property taxes, home ownership rates, housing costs, and real estate trends. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, and other data sources. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

Best to Buy a House

197 results

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Pelham
Suburb of Springfield, MA
#1 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
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1,283 Population
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Wayland
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 4.19 out of 5 16 reviews
#2 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: We recently moved to this town and so far everything has been going great!
I have three kids ages from 12, 5 and 2 years old. At first I was expecting a hard "transitions" being that we moved from a great and warm community, Naples Florida.
To families out there that are looking for a town with excellent schools and close-by to Boston, I highly recommended Wayland. We did our research for years- We started looking into Lexington (we got priced out from outrageous homes), Sudbury (little too far for my shopping needs), We looked and looked -really in all these towns you are comparing apple to apple, depends on what you looking for. Wayland fits my agenda- be in town that offers GREAT public schools and homes that you are not on top of each other. I love having my privacy and Wayland has that feel, yet if you want to be involved in the community, there are so many things you can do!
Read 16 Reviews
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13,802 Population
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Longmeadow
Suburb of Springfield, MA
Rating 3.85 out of 5 60 reviews
#3 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Longmeadow is my chosen hometown. It's very safe here and people are friendly. As a liberal Democrat, I enjoy the very active Democratic town committee and other activist groups. The schools here are excellent and I appreciate that my fellow residents value the importance of education. I even love the Longmeadow News newspaper and enjoy the local access channel. Nightlife isn't important to me and there are enough restaurants in town to enjoy and if I want to go to a cinema, go to other restaurants, Springfield and Enfield are only 5 minutes away
Read 60 Reviews
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15,791 Population
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Harvard
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 4.07 out of 5 14 reviews
#4 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Has been a wonderful place to raise our kids. Pro's are Schools are excellent, always in the top 10 in the state for MCAS scores. High School is The Bromfield School. Kids are getting a private school education at a public school price. Really beautiful town with lots of conversation land and town beach. Nice town center with brand new Elementary School and Library. Multiple apple orchards and horse properties. Lots of town spirit, Halloween held in town center for the children is a great tradition. Con's are very high taxes and little affordable and senior housing. Very limited town services. Sports are not covered in property taxes and often run $300/child. Small population, approx. 6,500. No grocery store, hardware store, retail etc, have to drive to neighboring towns for everything. Ft. Devens is nearby and active training includes munitions fire. Overall a lovely place to live and for kids to grow up.
Read 14 Reviews
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6,569 Population
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Bolton
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 4.75 out of 5 4 reviews
#5 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Lived in town my whole life, went through K-12 at the public schools, upper-middle class town, not very diverse, not too many businesses, but most people have a big backyard and woods nearby.
Read 4 Reviews
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5,299 Population
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Cordaville
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 3.91 out of 5 11 reviews
#6 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Niche User: Living in Southborough Massachusetts over the years has been extremely amazing. It is a small town so it is not over run with large businesses and there are more "mom and pop" ran businesses. Everyone pretty much knows each other so the atmosphere is very friendly. The education is great, schools hire teachers that care about the students and push them everyday to do their best. I moved to this town when I was around eight years old, and if I were able to do it all again from an earlier age if I could. For the past decades Southborough has been a small quiet town and it look like it will stay like this for many more decades to come.
Read 11 Reviews
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3,039 Population
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Dover
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 3.79 out of 5 14 reviews
#7 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Dover has been my home for 7 years now and I have learned to love the level of privacy and security that comes from being a suburb outside a main city. While being less than a 45 min drive from Boston, I am able to have access to the urban scene but am not subject to the high population density or strain on resources. Dover has a great community within the town, as well as a highly performing school system. Given the space and immense amount of nature throughout the town, I would like to see more initiatives being put forward to utilise the outdoors more; I am very supportive of the rail trail project and look forwards to taking more advantage of the nature we are privileged to have surround us.
Read 14 Reviews
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6,044 Population
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Hopkinton
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 4.06 out of 5 35 reviews
#8 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Reading some of the more recent reviews, it’s clear that a particular individual with egomaniacal tendencies decided to trash the town on their way out. My family moved to Hopkinton recently and we could not be more pleased with our decision. There are ample gorgeous public areas for hiking and outdoor activities, coupled with socioeconomic diversity we did not find in other Boston suburbs we considered. The racial diversity is increasing and our neighbors and the town in general have been incredibly welcoming. Being one of the safest suburbs in the country with a top shelf school system makes this a great town to raise a family. A town is what you make of it!
Read 35 Reviews
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17,598 Population
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Boxborough
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 4.25 out of 5 4 reviews
#9 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Beautiful suburban town. Very small and caring community with great schools and incredibly low crime rate. It's a bit far from Boston, but if you don't mind the commute, this is a great place to live.
Read 4 Reviews
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5,561 Population
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Cochituate
Suburb of Boston, MA
#10 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
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7,226 Population
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Sudbury
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 4.24 out of 5 21 reviews
#11 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Suburban meets rural in this quiet, safe, down-to-earth and friendly town filled with green spaces and nature. Lacks a proper town center and public transportation, so a car is essential to get around. Ethnic and cultural diversity has been growing and is increasingly reflected in the town’s excellent schools. If you’re a nature lover, it’s hard to beat Sudbury - biking, hiking, birding, canoeing and many more activities abound right in town. Most homes have spacious lots with nice yards. Friendly and down-to-earth neighbors. Downside for folks who like access to nightlife or cultural activities and events is that there’s very little of those. Same with diversity of stores and restaurants, though this has improved a bit. Overall, a quiet, beautiful, safe and green oasis west of Boston.
Read 21 Reviews
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19,122 Population
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Carlisle
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 4.04 out of 5 27 reviews
#12 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Beautiful small NE town with four distinct seasons and a tight-knit community. While the town lacks any retail outside of Fern's and Kimball's, there is a terrific spread of restaurants, stores, and entertainment located in each of its five surrounding towns, allowing for easy access within 10-20 minutes. It's one k-8 school and multiple farms (with CSA Programs) create a friendly, welcoming, community-based culture in town, and everyone seems to know everyone.
Read 27 Reviews
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5,224 Population
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Wilbraham
Suburb of Springfield, MA
Rating 3.84 out of 5 43 reviews
#13 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Small town with everything you need. Grocery store, Home Depot, Ymca, gymnasts, doctors offices, dental, hairdressers ect. People are friendly many types of homes to live in ! Small ponds and mountains.
Read 43 Reviews
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14,638 Population
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Granby
Suburb of Springfield, MA
Rating 3.71 out of 5 7 reviews
#14 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Long time resident! Excellent schools and even better green space! Lovely quiet area! Many generations of my family has grown up in or around here and I can see why! Very safe neighborhoods and we are always looking out for each other!
Read 7 Reviews
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6,322 Population
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Sherborn
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 3.25 out of 5 32 reviews
#15 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: I love living in Sherborn Massachusetts, it was an awesome place to grow up! The small town makes for a tight-knit, inclusive community. The cute New England Town only has a few places, but that is all Sherborn needs to continue to prosper. The town pond, Farm Pond, is perfect for the summer. You can do swim lessons or sailing lessons and it is a great place to cool off! The Dover-Sherborn school system is one of the best in Massachusetts and it is a great place for kids to prosper!
Read 32 Reviews
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4,316 Population
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Westford
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 3.94 out of 5 82 reviews
#16 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Westford is a great town to live in. It is a safe, friendly, charming, and quiet town but not too far from major highways and the greater Boston metro. There are many parades and local farmer markets during spring and summer. There are many lakes throughout the town for standup paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, canoeing, or winter ice skating.

The school system rated #6 best school districts in Massachusetts by Niche. It has a lot to offer in the schools from AP courses, sports clubs, robotics clubs, environmental clubs, DECA, HOSA, Mock Trial, and much more.
I would like to have winter and summer folk festivals to bring more flavors to the town!
Read 82 Reviews
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24,342 Population
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Stow
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 4.39 out of 5 18 reviews
#17 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Great place to raise a family. Beautiful open land, Not congested with traffic, close proximity to rt 2 and 495. Just minutes away from Acton Commuter Rail Train station. For anyone that travels to Cambridge, it takes only 29 minutes on an express train to reach Porter Square! Outstanding school district and is highly ranked.

Apple picking in the Fall is a must. I can’t think of a better place to live in the greater suburb of Boston if the highlights above are important to you.
Read 18 Reviews
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7,133 Population
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Hopedale
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 3.95 out of 5 19 reviews
#18 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Hopedale is a quiet bedroom community just 40 minutes from Boston and has a strong community feel. The schools are excellent, and shopping centers are not far away in nearby towns. The housing stock is diverse and homes are generally well maintained. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hopedale’s real estate become much more expensive in the not-so-far-away future, so now is a good time to buy.
Read 19 Reviews
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5,947 Population
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Southampton
Suburb of Springfield, MA
Rating 4.19 out of 5 27 reviews
#19 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: This is a great little town with a pretty tight community. There are shared values of community, volunteering, and helping others.
Read 27 Reviews
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6,144 Population
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Ashland
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 3.71 out of 5 48 reviews
#20 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Living here has been an absolute joy. I just moved here in September and it already feels like home. It's safe, located in a very convenient location between Boston and Worcester. There are amazing restaurants, shops and trails to explore nature. I would like to see the town become a bit more diverse!
Read 48 Reviews
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17,710 Population
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Holliston
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 4.03 out of 5 31 reviews
#21 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: We had visited Holliston for years - to ride bikes on their beautiful rail trail, and we kind of fell in love with the town. In 2020, we bought a house here and it's even better than we could have expected.

First off - the people are SO welcoming. More so than anywhere else we've lived. We're nearing retirement so having a sense of community is becoming even more important. Within 3 short months (and during a pandemic!) so many people made a point of welcoming us to the town.

The other great thing about Holliston is that they really seem to value nature and recreation. The rail trail is fantastic. Swimming and hiking opportunities are readily available. It is a gem!
Read 31 Reviews
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14,724 Population
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Medway
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 3.83 out of 5 40 reviews
#22 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Medway has allot to offer, more so when the renovations to the infrastructure is complete, Fall 2019. New sidewalks! Medway is located a few miles from 495 and close to 4 communities: Millis, Bellingham, Franklin and Holliston that have large department stores, a movie theatre, Ice Creams Shoppes, Dean College, Trendy Bars and Bowling Alley. The Wrentham Outlet is a 15 minute drive away. Medway has a few farms, some sell fresh eggs!

The schools are great! When Choate Park is done being renovated Fall, 2019, there will be many community events. We cannot wait!
Read 40 Reviews
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13,325 Population
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Chelmsford
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 3.74 out of 5 108 reviews
#23 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Compared to the neighborhood I grew up in, my neighborhood in Chelmsford is quiet, safe and family oriented. I love that everyone is so available to lend a hand if needed, kids are riding their bikes, people are active and care about their landscaping. The neighborhood is bright and clean and welcoming!
Read 108 Reviews
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35,126 Population
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Norfolk
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 4.29 out of 5 31 reviews
#24 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Norfolk is a very small town and a very tight knit community. As a teenager preparing to depart for college, I can confidently say that Norfolk was a great place to grow up. The public school system here is phenomenal and has allowed me to cultivate some great memories and benefits. The entire town is very supportive of the children as can be seen at the town sporting events. There has never been any real crime in my time here other than minor incidents. Being a small town there is very little to know night life, meaning that it is a very family friendly environment. There is not much diversity in the town, with a majority of Caucasian families living here. There are not many businesses in the town also other than some small, usually independently owned businesses. In conclusion, I highly recommend the town of Norfolk to any families looking for a wonderful environment for their children.
Read 31 Reviews
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11,786 Population
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Mansfield
Suburb of Boston, MA
Rating 3.99 out of 5 76 reviews
#25 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts
Current Resident: Growing up in Mansfield I’ve enjoyed many of the town’s highlights. A few; catching a concert at the Xfinity Center, spending time at Mansfield’s Crossing Shopping area then grabbing pizza locally and enjoying Flint Farm's variety of uniquely named ice-creams. If willing, try the Green Monster! My younger years, an Annual Fun Night downtown, filled with food games and prizes. Also, a bag full of candy or a dill pickle from the Country Store, a true New England experience! Kids can still enjoy Movies Under the Stars every Wednesday come summertime as I did, take a walk, run or bike the Veterans World War II trail and most definitely, check out a Hornets football game on Friday nights. The Mansfield Varsity Team won, Superbowl Champions 2019! Our towns, small population around 24,000 is a great place to bring up children. It’s safe and ranked the number one “Best Place to Live” in Bristol County. I’d say it is very family oriented, educationally worthy and socially close.
Read 76 Reviews
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23,947 Population
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Fusion Academy Hingham
Private School
Hingham, MA
6-12
3 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Oakcrest School
Private School
Vienna, VA
6-12
Rating 4.57 out of 5 124 reviews
Parent: Oakcrest has been a wonderful place for my daughter to learn and grow. Since she arrived in 8th grade, she has grown and blossomed into a more Godly, confident and well-learned young lady. Oakcrest is a rarity in this area: an academically rigorous school that also puts a premium on Godly character development. Plus, Oakcrest truly looks to partner with parents in the education of their daughters, and has many events planned to grow and strengthen parents and families throughout the year - a win/win for all of us! The teachers and support staff are amazing, as is the new campus. Everyone connected with this school from top to bottom is amazing! If you are seeking a challenging academic environment for your daughter, where she can make life-long friends, grow in her faith, and have her character formed for THE BETTER - Oakcrest is your place. Our family is forever blessed because of this school!
Read 124 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
260 Students
7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Lawrence Academy
Private School
Groton, MA
9-12
Rating 4.76 out of 5 37 reviews
Parent: Like all schools, LA is what you make of it. However, LA is special because the teachers, staff and administration give students so many opportunities to succeed - they don't give up! Each student has a trusted adult on the LA campus - teacher, advisor, coach, house parent - to talk to and confide in. The twice monthly Comment Cards provide students and their parents with a built in feedback system. College counseling - outstanding! Their staff is full time, well staffed and engaged with each student from the beginning. Soft intro in 9th, testing review throughout the 10th. Parents receive a detailed monthly newsletter (and lots of helpful links) through Decision Day in your child's senior year. Bonus -summer bootcamp to familiarize students with the Common App, review essay prompts and rough drafts, and college interview skills and do's and don'ts.
Read 37 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
409 Students
6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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