Somerville is a dense, lively city of about 84,000 people just north of Cambridge and Boston, known for its squares, its restaurants, and its rows of triple-decker houses. It suits young professionals, graduate students, and anyone who wants city energy with a neighborhood feel and quick transit into Boston. It is not cheap. The median home value is about $911,300 and median rent is about $2,517 a month, and about two-thirds of households rent. The move itself comes with two Somerville habits: most leases turn over on September 1, and most homes are triple-deckers with steep, narrow stairs. Avoid September 1 if you can, arrange street parking for the truck with the city ahead of time, and measure large furniture against the stairs before move day.
Stark Moving and Storage is based in the Boston area and moves households across Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, and the rest of greater Boston. We know Somerville’s narrow streets and third-floor walk-ups well, and we handle packing, storage, and piano and fine art moves as well as standard local moves. Here is what to know about living in Somerville and how to plan your move there.
Somerville by the Numbers
From the U.S. Census Bureau’s Somerville QuickFacts:
| Measure | Somerville |
|---|---|
| Population, 2025 estimate | About 84,211 |
| Median household income | About $132,572 |
| Median home value | About $911,300 |
| Median rent | About $2,517 per month |
| Homes that are owner-occupied | About 34 percent |
| Average commute | About 31 minutes |
| Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher | About 69 percent |
Why People Move to Somerville
The Squares
Life in Somerville centers on its squares. Davis Square, Union Square, Ball Square, Teele Square, and Assembly Square each have their own shops, bars, and restaurants within walking distance of homes.
Transit Into Boston
The Red Line stops at Davis Square, the Orange Line at Assembly, and the Green Line Extension, which opened in 2022, added stations through Union Square, East Somerville, and up to Medford. Many residents commute without a car.
Close to Cambridge
Somerville borders Cambridge, and many residents work or study at Harvard, MIT, or Tufts nearby. Our guide to moving to Cambridge covers the city next door.
Best Neighborhoods in Somerville
| Area | What it is like | Move notes |
|---|---|---|
| Davis Square | Busy, walkable, Red Line access | Tight street parking |
| Union Square | Restaurants and new Green Line station | Mix of older homes and new buildings |
| Assembly Square | Newer apartment buildings near the Orange Line | Elevators and building move rules |
| Winter Hill and Spring Hill | Residential, hilly streets | Steep stairs and slopes |
| East Somerville | More affordable, quick highway access | Older triple-deckers |
| Ball and Teele Squares | Quieter, near Tufts | Student rentals and turnover |
Housing: Triple-Deckers and Apartments
Most of Somerville’s housing is older wood-frame homes, many of them triple-deckers with one apartment per floor. They have character, but they are hard to move into.
- Narrow front and back staircases with tight turns
- Third-floor units with no elevator
- Small doorways in older homes
- Limited or no driveway parking
Newer buildings around Assembly Square and Union Square have elevators but usually require a reservation and proof of the mover’s insurance.
Tip: Measure your sofa, box spring, and dresser, then measure the turn at the top of the stairs in the new place. A split box spring or a sofa with removable legs often solves a problem that would otherwise mean a window hoist.
The September 1 Problem
Like Boston, Somerville has a huge share of leases that start on September 1. That day brings packed streets, double-parked trucks, and movers booked months ahead. Our guide to September 1 moving explains why it happens and how to get through it.
If your lease allows any flexibility, move a few days before or after. If it does not, book your movers in spring.
Parking for the Moving Truck
Somerville runs its own resident permit parking system, and most streets are restricted to permit holders. A moving truck needs legal curb space close to your door, which in Somerville means arranging temporary parking with the city ahead of time. A Boston permit does not cover it. For a sense of how these permits work, our guide to the Boston truck permit covers the city next door.
Finding an Apartment
Somerville rentals move fast, and many are listed months ahead of a September 1 start. Our guide to finding a Boston apartment applies here too.
Cost of Living in Somerville
Somerville is one of the most expensive cities in Massachusetts, and housing drives most of the cost. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates these yearly costs for Middlesex County, which includes Somerville:
| Yearly cost | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Housing, one adult | $28,402 |
| Food, one adult | $5,118 |
| Transportation, one adult | $8,013 |
| Income needed before taxes, one adult | $70,707 |
| Income needed before taxes, two working adults and two children | $176,193 |
These are county averages, so rents in Somerville itself often run higher. Also budget for a deposit, a possible broker fee, and winter heating. If the prices are a stretch, our guide to moving to Arlington covers a quieter neighbor.
Weather in Somerville
BestPlaces lists these climate averages:
| Measure | Somerville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| July high | About 82 degrees | Varies by region |
| January low | About 19 degrees | Varies by region |
| Snow per year | About 51 inches | 28 inches |
| Rain per year | About 48 inches | 38 inches |
| Sunny days per year | About 197 | 205 |
Expect cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Many triple-deckers have no central air, so ask about cooling before you sign.
Schools in Somerville
Somerville Public Schools serves about 4,950 students, with a student-teacher ratio of about 11 to 1. Niche gives the district an overall grade of A minus. Somerville High School is the city’s public high school, and Tufts University sits on the Medford line.
Crime and Safety
NeighborhoodScout, using FBI data for 2024, reports these rates:
| Crime per 1,000 residents | Somerville | National median |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | About 2.2 | About 4 |
| Property crime | About 17.0 | About 18 |
Violent crime is about half the national median, while property crime such as bike and package theft is close to it. Lock bikes, and ask about secure package delivery.
Your First Month in Somerville
- Apply for a resident parking permit if you have a car
- Set up electricity, gas, and internet before move day
- Find your trash and recycling day
- Learn your nearest T station and bus routes
- Update your address with the Registry of Motor Vehicles
Pros and Cons of Living in Somerville
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Walkable squares full of restaurants and shops | Some of the highest rents in the state |
| Red, Orange, and Green Line service | Steep triple-decker stairs |
| Close to Cambridge, Boston, and universities | Tight, permit-only street parking |
| Strong public schools for a city | Crowded September 1 moving day |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Somerville a good place to live?
For many people, yes. It offers walkable squares, good transit, and a strong food scene, at a high cost for housing.
How much is rent in Somerville?
The median gross rent is about $2,517 a month, according to Census figures.
Do I need a permit for a moving truck in Somerville?
Most streets are permit-only, so arrange temporary parking for the truck with the city ahead of the move.
What T lines serve Somerville?
The Red Line at Davis, the Orange Line at Assembly, and the Green Line Extension through Union Square and East Somerville.
What is the hardest part of moving in Somerville?
Triple-decker stairs and September 1 crowds. Measure furniture and avoid that date if you can.
Is Somerville safe?
Violent crime is about half the national median. Property crime, such as bike theft, is close to the national median.
Moving to Somerville
Stark Moving and Storage handles local and long distance moves, packing and unpacking, storage, crating, and piano and fine art moving across greater Boston, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Washington DC.
Our Moving company in Somerville are BBB accredited and work on honesty, transparency, and efficiency. Call (866) 656-6029 for an estimate on your move to Somerville.