Boston, Massachusetts, otherwise known as the “Athens of America,” is swiftly becoming home for many Bay Staters and out-of-staters alike. With its iconic history and delicious foods, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that nearly 700,000 people live in Boston. However, with that higher demand comes higher home prices. The median home sale price is $772,500, and the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Boston is $3,988.
If that price is out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has rounded up a list of the best affordable Boston suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 45-minute drive from the city. That way, you can live close to Boston and all its unique activities without paying a premium price.
#1: Bolton
Median home price: $319,000
Driving distance from Boston: 45 minutes
Bolton, MA homes for sale
Bolton, MA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $319,000, Bolton lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable Boston suburb. About 45 minutes away from downtown Boston, Bolton is home to roughly 5,500 people. Living in Bolton, you can spend time exploring Animal Adventures Family Zoo & Rescue Center.
Drive to Boston to “Enjoy the beach, walk around Castle Island, play in the then Lago Playground, and then pop in Local 149 for a great inexpensive meal,” recommends Steven Herrman. “Here on the southern side, we have a fair and reasonably priced food and beverage menu, especially when you compare it to our neighbors. We make house-made products that are featured on our food and beverage menus.”
#2: Topsfield
Median home price: $365,000
Driving distance from Boston: 30 minutes
Topsfield, MA homes for sale
Topsfield, MA apartments for rent
Home to 3,000 people, Topsfield is Boston’s second most affordable suburb. Just about 30 minutes from Boston, you can go to and from the city in just a quick drive. Some popular things to do in Topsfield are visiting Bradley Palmer State Park and exploring the charming downtown.
“A wonderful way to spend an afternoon in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood is to visit art galleries, all of which are free and open to the public,” recommends Zola Solamente, Owner of Arden Gallery. Take about a 30 minute drive from Topsfield, and you can find yourself at the wonderful, “Arden Gallery, a gallery featuring contemporary works of art in a variety of styles. It’s open six days a week, and the art is free to view, enjoy, and repost.”
#3: Ayer
Median home price: $432,000
Driving distance from Boston: 45 minutes
Ayer, MA homes for sale
Ayer, MA apartments for rent
Taking the third spot on our list of affordable suburbs is Ayer. Just 45 minutes outside of Boston, you’ll find the home prices are much less expensive in this quiet suburb. Home to about 3,000 people, there are plenty of cool things to check out in Ayer. If you find yourself moving here, be sure to visit Sandy Pond Beach.
#4: Lynn
Median home price: $507,500
Driving distance from Boston: 20 minutes
Lynn, MA homes for sale
Lynn, MA apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Ayer is Lynn, the next suburb on our list. With a population of about 94,000 residents, Lynn is the largest city in Essex county. This is a perfect place to call home if you’re looking for a less expensive Boston suburb with proximity to both the city and the beach.
Cafe Iterum’s East Boston Team shares, “The city of Boston has been committed to opening water access to the public. Today, miles of path span across the waterfront for all the public to use from the tip of Boston Logan International Airport [at least 22 minute drive from Lynn], to the award winning Piers Park, and through Maverick Square. All Boston parks are free and feature some of the first landscape architectures by Frederick Law Olmsted.”
#5: Beverly
Median home price: $520,000
Driving distance from Boston: 30 minutes
Beverly, MA homes for sale
Beverly, MA apartments for rent
About a 30-minute drive into the city, consider adding Beverly to your list of Boston suburbs to check out. With 42,000 people living in this affordable town, Beverly is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Boston without paying the premium for a home in the city. Living in Beverly, you’ll find stunning New England landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities. Don’t forget to stop by Lynch Park on your way through town.
#6: Salem
Median home price: $525,000
Driving distance from Boston: 30 minutes
Salem, MA homes for sale
Salem, MA apartments for rent
Another well-known Boston suburb is Salem, where you’ll find the home prices are about $200K less than in Boston. Salem has about 43,000 residents and is a great suburb to consider buying a home in. With the Salem Witch Museum and many local shops, you’ll have easy access to what makes this suburb unique.
“Our team loves Salem during the off-season in the spring or summer to walk along the waterfront and relax at the Salem Common,” suggests BOStoday’s City Editors Jessica Burton and Sara Frazier. “There are also several historical and cultural sites with free admission, like the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Punto Urban Art Museum. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a self-led tour around the many Hocus Pocus filming locations.”
#7: Wakefield
Median home price: $540,000
Driving distance from Boston: 20 minutes
Wakefield, MA homes for sale
Wakefield, MA apartments for rent
Coming in seventh place on our list of affordable Boston suburbs is Wakefield, which is about 20 minutes away from downtown. With a population of close to 27,000, living in Wakefield is an excellent alternative to Boston’s hustle and bustle. If you’re going to call this suburb home, plan time to explore Lake Quannapowitt.
#8: Danvers
Median home price: $545,000
Driving distance from Boston: 30 minutes
Danvers, MA homes for sale
Danvers, MA apartments for rent
If you’ve lived in Boston for a while, chances are you know of Danvers. This affordable area is home to approximately 27,500 residents, so you’ll have a fraction of Boston’s population while remaining close to the city and its attractions. Add the Sunnyside Bowladrome, CoCo Key Water Park, and Endicott Park to your list of must-sees once living in Danvers.
#9: Peabody
Median home price: $575,000
Driving distance from Boston: 25 minutes
Peabody, MA homes for sale
Peabody, MA apartments for rent
Moving to Peabody will give you access to downtown Boston in close to 25 minutes – as long as you don’t find yourself in traffic. This vibrant community is home to 53,000 residents and is a quintessential New England city. Fun activities to do near Peabody include exploring Peabody Essex Museum and George Peabody House Museums.
#10: Woburn
Median home price: $621,000
Driving distance from Boston: 15 minutes
Woburn, MA homes for sale
Woburn, MA apartments for rent
Woburn takes the last spot on our list of affordable Boston suburbs you’ll want to consider moving to. Without traffic, you’ll find yourself in Boston in roughly 15 minutes. This suburb has a population of 40,000 and is home to Woburn Bowladrome and Horn Pond Recreation Area. There’s plenty to do on an afternoon or weekend while living in this great suburb.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Boston and under a 45-minute drive from downtown Boston. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during April 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com May 2022. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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