Families move to Andover for three main reasons: strong public schools, very low crime, and room to grow about 23 miles north of Boston. The town of about 37,000 people earns an A from Niche for its public schools, and its violent crime rate is a fraction of the national median. The catch is cost, with a median home value of about $855,600. For parents, the best approach is to start with the school calendar, pick the village that fits your daily routine, and budget for both the home price and the larger move that comes with a family house.
Stark Moving and Storage helps families relocate to Andover from Boston, Cambridge, and across the region, and we handle the parts that make family moves bigger: finished basements, playrooms, garages, and pianos. We offer packing, storage between closings, and long distance moves too. This guide walks parents through schools, safety, villages, costs, and a moving timeline built around the school year.
Andover Quick Facts for Families
| Measure | Andover |
|---|---|
| Population, 2025 estimate | About 37,014 |
| Median household income | About $172,606 |
| Median home value | About $855,600 |
| Homes that are owner-occupied | About 80 percent |
| Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher | About 76 percent |
| Average commute | About 29 minutes |
Source: the U.S. Census Bureau’s Andover QuickFacts.
Why Andover’s Schools Draw Families
Andover Public Schools serves about 5,400 students, with a student-teacher ratio of about 12 to 1. Niche gives the district an overall grade of A. Andover High School is the town’s public high school, and the elementary and middle schools feed into it.
The town is also home to Phillips Academy, one of the best-known private boarding schools in the country. Its Addison Gallery of American Art is open to the public.
If you are comparing Andover with schools closer to the city, our guide to Boston school districts is a helpful starting point.
Tip: Enrollment requires proof of residency. Contact the district as soon as you have a signed purchase and sale agreement or lease so your child’s spot is ready for the first day.
Safety in Andover
NeighborhoodScout, using FBI data for 2024, reports a violent crime rate of about 0.95 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of about 7.8 per 1,000. The national medians are about 4 and 18. In plain terms, violent crime in Andover runs at roughly a quarter of the national median, and property crime at well under half.
Choosing an Andover Village
Andover is a town of distinct areas, and the right one depends on your routine.
- Downtown: walk to Main Street shops, the library, and the train. Homes are older and lots are smaller.
- Shawsheen Village: a historic planned village with a distinct look and a strong neighborhood feel.
- Ballardvale: a small village with its own commuter rail stop and quiet streets.
- West Andover: newer, larger homes with bigger yards, popular with growing families.
- South Andover: wooded lots and more privacy, close to Harold Parker State Forest.
The Real Cost of Raising a Family in Andover
The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates that a family with two working adults and two children in Essex County needs about $162,446 a year before taxes. For one adult, it estimates:
| Expense | Yearly estimate |
|---|---|
| Housing | $20,731 |
| Food | $4,790 |
| Transportation | $8,443 |
| Income needed before taxes | $60,518 |
These are county averages. Andover’s home prices run far above the Essex County average, so the mortgage and property tax bill will be your biggest costs. Andover’s median household income of about $172,606 reflects that.
Commuting From Andover
Two commuter rail stations, Andover and Ballardvale, sit on the Haverhill line to North Station. Interstates 93 and 495 meet in town, which helps parents who work in Boston or along the 495 tech corridor. Most families drive to schools, sports, and activities, so plan for two cars.
Four Seasons in the Merrimack Valley
BestPlaces averages put Andover’s July high at about 83 degrees and its January low at about 17 degrees. The town gets about 52 inches of snow a year, nearly double the U.S. average of 28, along with about 48 inches of rain and about 201 sunny days.
That means sledding hills and snow days in winter, and long driveways that need plowing. Line up a plow service before your first storm.
Is Andover Right for Your Family?
Choose Andover if you want:
- A-rated public schools
- Very low crime
- Space, yards, and quiet streets
- Rail and highway access
Think twice if you need:
- A lower home price
- Plenty of rental options
- A short commute to downtown Boston
- Walkable errands outside the downtown area
A Family Moving Checklist for Andover
- Eight weeks out: book your movers. Summer is the busiest season.
- Six weeks out: contact Andover Public Schools about enrollment.
- Four weeks out: sort toys, clothes, and gear. Donate what the kids have outgrown.
- Two weeks out: pack a first-night box for each child with pajamas, a favorite toy, and bedding.
- Moving day: set up beds first so everyone can sleep.
Heavy family items need special care. Our guide on moving a piano explains why pianos need trained crews.
Andover Moving FAQs
What grade do Andover public schools get?
Niche gives Andover Public Schools an overall grade of A. The district serves about 5,400 students with a student-teacher ratio of about 12 to 1.
How safe is Andover for kids?
Very safe by national standards. Violent crime is about 0.95 per 1,000 residents and property crime about 7.8, both far below the national median.
What is the best time of year for a family to move to Andover?
Early summer works best, since children can settle in before school starts. Book movers at least six to eight weeks ahead for June, July, and August.
Are there rentals in Andover for families?
Some, but not many. About 80 percent of homes are owner-occupied, so rentals are limited and tend to go quickly.
How do Andover parents commute to Boston?
Many take the Haverhill commuter rail from Andover or Ballardvale to North Station. Others drive Interstate 93, which can be slow at rush hour.
What is there for kids to do in Andover?
Families use Harold Parker State Forest, the Shawsheen River trails, local parks, and youth sports leagues. The Addison Gallery at Phillips Academy is free and open to the public.
Hire Experienced Movers in Andover, MA
If Andover is out of reach, our guide to moving to Lowell covers a lower-cost city next door, and our list of the best Boston suburbs compares 10 towns side by side. When you are ready to book, our movers in Andover handle large family homes, finished basements, and heavy items like pianos.
Families choose Stark Moving and Storage for careful packing, storage between closings, and trained crews for pianos and fine art. We are BBB accredited; we serve Greater Boston, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Washington DC, and we build every quote on honesty and transparency. Call (866) 656-6028 to schedule an in-home estimate for your Andover move.