The best suburb near Boston depends on what matters most to you: schools, safety, price, or the commute. Newton, Brookline, and Arlington lead on schools and safety but cost the most. Quincy, Framingham, and Dedham offer more home for the money. Medford, Waltham, and Watertown balance price and location for renters and young professionals, and Andover is a top choice for families who can live further out. The smart way to choose is to compare home prices, school ratings, crime rates, and commute times side by side, then visit your top two or three towns on a weekday at rush hour before you sign a lease or make an offer.
Stark Moving and Storage is based in the Boston area and moves households into every town on this list. We see why people choose each suburb and what each move involves, from Newton’s large single-family homes to Medford’s two-family houses. Here is how 10 popular suburbs compare.
The 10 Suburbs Compared
| Suburb | Median home value | Median rent | Niche schools grade | Violent crime per 1,000 | Average commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | $1,264,900 | $2,370 | A plus | 0.5 | 27 min |
| Brookline | $1,246,800 | $2,835 | A plus | 1.0 | 27 min |
| Arlington | $933,800 | $2,082 | A | 0.6 | 32 min |
| Andover | $855,600 | $2,201 | A | 1.0 | 29 min |
| Watertown | $784,600 | $2,502 | B plus | 1.5 | 28 min |
| Medford | $755,500 | $2,509 | B | 1.8 | 30 min |
| Waltham | $748,700 | $2,268 | B | 2.5 | 25 min |
| Dedham | $661,800 | $2,042 | B plus | 2.7 | 29 min |
| Framingham | $627,300 | $2,033 | B | 3.3 | 30 min |
| Quincy | $618,500 | $2,118 | A minus | 3.4 | 35 min |
Home values, rent, and commute times come from the U.S. Census Bureau. School grades come from Niche, and crime rates come from NeighborhoodScout using FBI data for 2024. The national median violent crime rate is about 4 per 1,000, so every town on this list is below it.
The Best Suburbs Near Boston
Newton
Newton is a city of 13 villages just west of Boston, with A plus rated schools, very low crime, and Green Line and commuter rail access. It is also the most expensive town on this list. Read our guide to moving to Newton for its villages and costs.
Brookline
Brookline borders Boston on three sides and has the Green Line, walkable village centers, and A plus rated schools. It has the highest rents on the list. Our guide to moving to Brookline covers it in detail.
Arlington
Arlington offers A rated schools, one of the lowest crime rates on the list, the Minuteman Bikeway, and a small-town feel near Cambridge. There is no subway, so most residents take the bus or drive to Alewife. See our guide to moving to Arlington.
Andover
Andover, about 23 miles north, is a favorite of families who want A rated schools, very low crime, and more space. Two commuter rail stations and two interstates help with the longer commute. Our guide to moving to Andover has the full picture.
Watertown
Watertown sits between Cambridge, Newton, and Waltham, with a growing life sciences job base and the Arsenal Yards development. It has no subway, but buses run to Harvard Square.
Medford
Medford has the Green Line at Medford/Tufts, the Orange Line at Wellington, and the Middlesex Fells for hiking. It often costs less than Somerville for similar space.
Waltham
Waltham has the shortest average commute on the list, a busy Moody Street restaurant scene, commuter rail, and many jobs along Route 128.
Dedham
Dedham borders Boston’s southwest side, with Legacy Place, a historic square, and the Franklin commuter rail line. It costs less than Newton or Needham. Read our guide to moving to Dedham.
Framingham
Framingham, about 20 miles west, has some of the lowest home prices on the list, major employers, commuter rail to South Station, and lakes and parks.
Quincy
Quincy has four Red Line stations, a long coastline, and A minus rated schools, with some of the lowest home prices on the list. Its commute times run longer because of Southeast Expressway traffic.
Which Suburb Is Best for You?
| If you want | Look at |
|---|---|
| Top schools | Newton, Brookline, Arlington, Andover |
| Lowest crime | Newton, Arlington, Andover, Brookline |
| Lower home prices | Quincy, Framingham, Dedham |
| Subway access | Brookline, Newton, Quincy, Medford |
| Short commute | Waltham, Newton, Brookline |
| Rentals for young professionals | Medford, Watertown, Waltham |
How to Choose the Right Suburb
Start With Your Commute
Drive or ride the route at rush hour before you commit. A suburb that looks close on a map can take an hour at 8 a.m.
Check Specific Schools
District grades are a starting point. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education publishes school and district profiles with enrollment and test results for every public school.
Budget for Property Taxes
Tax rates vary by town. Ask for the current rate and the recent tax bill on any home you are considering.
Visit at Night and on Weekends
A town can feel very different after dark or on a Saturday. Walk the streets near the homes you like.
Tip: Once you narrow your list to two towns, compare the actual listings you would buy or rent, not just the medians. A $750,000 home in one town may be very different from a $750,000 home in another.
Moving to a Boston Suburb
Most moves from Boston to these suburbs are local moves billed by the hour. Suburban homes usually hold more than city apartments, with basements, garages, and yards to clear, so an in-home estimate gives the most accurate price. Book six to eight weeks ahead for summer, when families move between school years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best suburb of Boston for families?
Newton, Brookline, Arlington, and Andover stand out for families. All four have A or A plus school grades from Niche and violent crime rates well below the national median.
What is the most affordable suburb near Boston?
Of the 10 towns here, Quincy and Framingham have the lowest median home values, at about $618,500 and $627,300. Dedham is close behind at about $661,800.
Which Boston suburbs have the T?
Brookline and Newton have the Green Line, Quincy has four Red Line stations, and Medford has both the Green and Orange Lines. Arlington and Watertown rely on buses, while Dedham, Andover, Framingham, and Waltham have commuter rail.
What is the safest suburb near Boston?
Newton and Arlington have the lowest violent crime rates on this list, at about 0.5 and 0.6 per 1,000 residents. Andover and Brookline follow at about 1.0.
Which suburb has the shortest commute to Boston?
Waltham has the shortest average commute of the 10, at about 25 minutes. Newton and Brookline follow at about 27 minutes.
Are Boston suburbs cheaper than the city?
Some are. Quincy, Framingham, and Dedham cost less than many Boston neighborhoods, while Newton and Brookline cost more. Compare actual listings, not just the medians.
Hire Boston Movers for Your Suburban Move
Whichever town you choose, a suburban home usually holds more than a city apartment, with basements, garages, and yards to clear. Our Boston movers handle moves from the city to every suburb on this list and give accurate estimates for larger homes.
Stark Moving and Storage serves every town on this list, plus New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Washington DC. As a BBB accredited mover, we offer packing, storage, crating, and piano and fine art moving, all built on honesty, transparency, and efficiency. Call (866) 656-6028 for an estimate on your move to the Boston suburbs.