Top 5 Most Affordable Boston Suburbs

Are there any affordable Boston suburbs? This is a question that is on the minds of many people looking to move to Boston. In this blog post, we will explore the most affordable suburbs near Boston.

Affordability is a relative term and depends on your preferences. Some suburbs, like Melrose, Arlington, Somerville, and Watertown, used to be affordable at some point but are no longer due to rapid growth. I advise you  to do your research, including looking at crime rates in specific areas.

Here I have the five most affordable suburbs within a 10-mile radius of Boston Common. For additional 10 more suburbs instantly download it for free here.

1. Lynn

 Located in Essex County and situated on the Atlantic Ocean, Lynn has a population of about 101,000. The median home price in Lynn is $518,450, with a 5.81% growth in home prices year over year. The tax rate is $11.15 per thousand, which means that for an average 3 bedroom/2 bath house, property taxes will be less than $5,000 per year. The graduation rate from Lynn High School is 89%, Lynn High school is 266th in Ma out of 378 that were ranked by US News High School rankings and the city gets an A+ for diversity of population from Niche.com. Lynn offers residents an urban suburban mix feel, with beaches, hiking trails, access to Boston, Lynn Auditorium Concerts, shops on Route 1, barber shops, local bodegas, and restaurants.

2. Everett

Located in Middlesex County and directly north of Boston, Everett has a population of about 50,000. The median home price in Everett is $552,000, with a 9.06% decline in prices year over year. The tax rate is $11.78, which means that for an average 3 bed/2 bath house, property taxes will be around $5,000 per year. Everett High School is ranked #261 in Massachusetts, with a graduation rate of 84%. Living in Everett offers residents an urban suburban mix feel, with most residents renting their homes. Revere Beach Parkway is a highway originating in Medford, MA, connecting Everett, Chelsea, and Revere. This results in heavy traffic during peak hours. Everett is also known for its recently built Encore Casino, resulting in heavy traffic Friday and Saturday nights. Gateway Center is the main shopping and food center, and Sky Zone - the trampoline park -  is also very popular in Everett. It is a very lively city.

While there are no subway stops, the nearest subway station is Wellington Station on the Orange Line subway system, there is the Commuter Rail and many buses. 

3. Weymouth

Weymouth is a city in Norfolk County, and one of 13 municipalities in the state to have city forms of government while retaining "town of" in their official names. It is named after Weymouth, Dorset, a coastal town in England.

Weymouth is a town with a population of approximately 60,000 people, and it offers an urban/suburban mix feel. The majority of residents own their homes, and the town is known for its proximity to water, which makes it an attractive location for boat enthusiasts. In fact, many people choose to live in Weymouth because of the more reasonable prices compared to neighboring towns like Hingham.

The town's high school is ranked 202nd in Massachusetts, and it boasts an impressive graduation rate of 93%. Additionally, the median home price in the Weymouth area is currently $545,000, with a -3.54% change YOY. The tax rate is also quite reasonable at $10.45 per thousand, meaning that the average homeowner with a 3/2 home will pay less than $6,000 per year.

While commuting to Boston by car can be challenging due to Cape Cod traffic, there are other transportation options available. Residents can commute to Boston by boat, car, train. Weymouth is served by several MBTA bus routes as well as three MBTA Commuter Rail stations. Two of the commuter rail stations are on the Greenbush Line, at Weymouth Landing and East Weymouth, and one is on the Kingston Line at South Weymouth.

In terms of outdoor activities, Weymouth has plenty to offer, including boating, kayaking, beaches, and several parks, including Great Esker Park on the Back River. The town also boasts some of the best athletic fields on the South Shore, making it an ideal location for sports enthusiasts.

4. Dedham

Dedham is a picturesque town in Norfolk County, located on the southwest border of Boston. With a population of 25,364 as per the 2020 census, Dedham offers residents a dense suburban feel with most residents owning their homes. The town boasts of excellent public schools with all the elementary, middle and high schools being within walking distance.

For shopping, one can head to Legacy Place or Dedham Plaza where a variety of stores are available. Dedham has good access to commuter rail service and highways making it easy to travel to nearby cities. Providence is a 35-minute drive, downtown Boston is 20 minutes away and New Hampshire is just 40 minutes away.

Dedham is a quiet suburb that residents appreciate, especially due to its proximity to Boston. The median home price in Dedham is $585,000 with a decrease of 16.43% over the past year. The tax rate in Dedham is $12.84, an average 3 bed/2 bath house would have an annual tax of around $6-7K.

Dedham High School is ranked #97 in Massachusetts, and the graduation rate is an impressive 95%. Dedham offers a peaceful and comfortable lifestyle with easy access to urban amenities, making it an ideal place to call home.

5. Revere

Revere is located in Suffolk County, has a population of 60,720. It offers residents an urban/suburban mix feel, and most residents own their homes. Revere is situated approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) from downtown Boston, with easy access to public transportation including buses, subway/trains, and proximity to Logan International Airport.

The tax rate in Revere is $9.51, and for an average 3 bed/2 bath Single Family, taxes are $5000 or less per year. The median home price in Revere is $589,000, with a growth of +3.34% Year Over Year. The high school in Revere is ranked #174 in MA, with a graduation rate of 90%.

Revere's clean and highly-rated beach is one of the oldest public beaches in the country, easily accessible by the MBTA Blue Line from Boston. The town is undergoing major growth, with many big-name companies moving in and providing high-paying employment opportunities. Revere is being touted as Boston's go-to place over the next decade and beyond.

While traffic can be an issue in some parts of town, Revere is close to many major expressways, making travel to New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont very easy. The MBTA runs through Revere, allowing for easy access in and out of the city from Revere.

In the future, we will cover the most expensive suburbs in the Boston area, but for now, reach out to Noune Karapetian, with any questions and watch my video covering these towns here.

For more expensive Boston suburbs: Lexington and Belmont, click on those names to watch and  reach out to me with any questions. photo by John Phelan