Affordable Boston Areas

  • Cost – Housing prices vary dramatically across neighborhoods and suburbs, from affordable options to luxury markets.
  • Income Levels – Higher-income areas often come with better-funded schools and public services.
  • Schools – School quality is a top priority for many. Suburban and more affluent areas generally have stronger public schools, though Boston has excellent private options and some standout public schools too.
  • Lifestyle & Amenities – Each area has its own character: walkable urban energy, suburban tranquility, waterfront views, cultural scenes, dining, transit access, and entertainment.

Use the comparison table below to explore neighborhoods and towns side-by-side—find the one that fits your life best.

Affordable Boston Areas - Compare

The following table shows which Boston neighborhoods are still affordable and compares the characteristics of each area.

  Town or Neighbourhood Average Property Price Average Income School Testing Size Attributes
Search For Properties Allston Medium Property Prices Low Income Area Low MCAS Score Small Community Urban CommunityDiverse CommunityStudent CommunityCultural Options in CommunityWaterfront CommunityShopping available in CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsCommunity with Subway access
Search For Properties Arlington Medium Property Prices High Income Area High MCAS Score Medium Size Community Suburban Community
Search For Properties Brighton Medium Property Prices Low Income Area Low MCAS Score Medium Size Community Urban CommunityDiverse CommunityStudent CommunityCultural Options in CommunityShopping available in CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsCommunity with Subway access
Search For Properties Chelsea Low Property Prices Low Income Area Low MCAS Score Medium Size Community Urban CommunityDiverse CommunityShopping available in CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsWaterfront CommunityCommunity with Train AccessCommunity with Subway access
Search For Properties Dorchester Low Property Prices Low Income Area Low MCAS Score Large Community Urban CommunityResidential CommunityCommunity with Subway accessDiverse CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsShopping available in Community
Search For Properties East Boston Low Property Prices Low Income Area Low MCAS Score Medium Size Community Urban CommunityDiverse CommunityCommunity with Subway accessResidential CommunityWaterfront CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsShopping available in Community
Search For Properties Everett Low Property Prices Medium Income Area Low MCAS Score Medium Size Community Urban CommunityDiverse CommunityWaterfront Community
Search For Properties Hyde Park Low Property Prices Medium Income Area Low MCAS Score Small Community Suburban CommunityCommunity with Train AccessDiverse Community
Search For Properties Jamaica Plain High Property Prices Medium Income Area Low MCAS Score Medium Size Community Urban CommunityDiverse CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsShopping available in CommunityResidential CommunityCommunity with Subway access
Search For Properties Lynn Low Property Prices Medium Income Area Low MCAS Score Large Community Urban CommunityDiverse CommunityShopping available in CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsWaterfront CommunityCommunity with Train Access
Search For Properties Malden Low Property Prices Medium Income Area Medium  MCAS Score Medium Size Community Suburban CommunityDiverse CommunityCommunity with Subway accessCommunity with Train Access
Search For Properties Mattapan Low Property Prices Low Income Area Low MCAS Score Large Community Urban CommunityDiverse CommunityResidential CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsShopping available in Community
Search For Properties Medford Medium Property Prices Medium Income Area Low MCAS Score Medium Size Community Suburban CommunityWaterfront CommunityCommunity with Train Access
Search For Properties Melrose Medium Property Prices Medium Income Area High MCAS Score Small Community Suburban Community
Search For Properties Milton Medium Property Prices High Income Area High MCAS Score Small Community Suburban CommunityCommunity with Subway access
Search For Properties Quincy Low Property Prices Medium Income Area Medium  MCAS Score Large Community Suburban CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsWaterfront CommunityCommunity with Subway access
Search For Properties Revere Low Property Prices Medium Income Area Medium  MCAS Score Medium Size Community Suburban CommunityCommunity with Subway accessWaterfront CommunityCommunity with Train Access
Search For Properties Roslindale Low Property Prices Medium Income Area Low MCAS Score Large Community Suburban CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsShopping available in CommunityDiverse CommunityCommunity with Train AccessResidential Community
Search For Properties Roxbury Medium Property Prices Low Income Area Low MCAS Score Medium Size Community Urban CommunityDiverse CommunityCommunity with Subway access
Search For Properties Saugus Low Property Prices Medium Income Area Medium  MCAS Score Small Community Suburban CommunityShopping available in Community
Search For Properties Somerville High Property Prices Medium Income Area Low MCAS Score Large Community Urban CommunityDiverse CommunityShopping available in CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsWaterfront CommunityCommunity with Subway access
Search For Properties South Boston Medium Property Prices Medium Income Area Low MCAS Score Medium Size Community Urban CommunityResidential CommunityWaterfront Community
Search For Properties Stoneham Low Property Prices Medium Income Area High MCAS Score Small Community Suburban Community
Search For Properties Wakefield Medium Property Prices Medium Income Area Medium  MCAS Score Small Community Suburban CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsShopping available in CommunityCommunity with Train Access
Search For Properties Waltham Medium Property Prices Medium Income Area Low MCAS Score Large Community Urban CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsShopping available in CommunityCommunity with Train Access
Search For Properties West Roxbury Medium Property Prices Medium Income Area Low MCAS Score Small Community Suburban CommunityResidential CommunityCommunity with Train AccessShopping available in CommunityCommunity with many Restaurants
Search For Properties Winthrop Low Property Prices Medium Income Area Low MCAS Score Small Community Suburban CommunityWaterfront Community
Search For Properties Woburn Low Property Prices Medium Income Area Medium  MCAS Score Medium Size Community Suburban CommunityShopping available in CommunityCommunity with many RestaurantsCommunity with Train Access