11 Most Affordable Boston Suburbs
- Ayer
- Lynn
- Saugus
- Salem
- Peabody
- Beverley
- Danvers
- Roslindale
- Waltham
- Wakefield
- Dedham
1. Ayer
Ayer is a town in Middlesex County, located about 44 minutes from downtown Boston or a 54-minute drive. With a median home price of $476,000 and an average rent of $1,798, Ayer is the most affordable suburb of Boston. Although slightly further from the city center than some other popular suburbs, Ayer residents enjoy an average commute time of 31 minutes. The peaceful town also offers great schools, easy access to highways, and a small-town atmosphere.
2. Lynn
Lynn is another one of the most affordable Boston suburbs, with a median home price of $530,000 and an average rent of $2,170. Located in Essex County, just 3.7 miles from the city limits and 13 miles from downtown, Lynn residents enjoy an average commute time of 31.3 minutes. It’s the largest city in Essex County and the eighth-largest municipality in Massachusetts. Lynn is also famous for its public art, historic architecture, and many parks and green spaces, making it an affordable city for young professionals who work in Boston.
3. Saugus
Saugus is another affordable Massachusetts town with an easy commute to Boston. Located in Essex County within the greater Boston area, Saugus is just 11 miles or about a 20-minute drive from downtown Boston and offers an average commute time of just under 30 minutes. It also features a median home price of $555,000 and an average rent of $2,941, making it very affordable by Massachusetts standards. Beyond reasonably priced homes, Saugus residents also enjoy a low crime rate, a central location, and plenty of family-friendly activities.
4. Salem
Salem is also one of the most affordable Boston suburbs, with a median home price of $573,000 and an average rent of $2,791. Although known as the site of the infamous Salem witch trials, today, Salem is a family-friendly city full of interesting historical attractions. It’s also located just 22 miles or a 36-minute drive from downtown Boston, with an average commute time of 30.6 minutes.
5. Peabody
Peabody is another one of the most affordable Boston suburbs. Located in Essex County within the North Shore region of Massachusetts, Peabody is just 20 miles or a 30-minute drive from downtown Boston and features an average commute time of 27.2 minutes. Housing prices in Peabody are very reasonable, and the median home price is $600,000, while the average rent is $2,532. Aside from its affordability, Peabody is also a diverse city with low crime and easy access to parks and highways.
6. Beverley
Another one of the most affordable Boston suburbs is Beverley, a quiet city in Essex County. Beverley features a median home price of $640,000 and an average rent of $2,532, making it reasonably priced for all it offers. Plus, it’s only 23 miles or a 35-minute drive from Boston and features a median commute time of 30 minutes. Beverly has a calm suburban atmosphere with easy access to beaches and big city amenities.
7. Danvers
Danvers is also one of the cheapest Boston suburbs. Danvers has a median home price of $640,000 and an average rent of $2,643. Located on the Danvers River along the northeastern coast of Massachusetts, the town is in a central location just 22 miles or a 30-minute drive from Boston and close to popular beaches in Gloucester, Ipswich, and Revere. Danvers also features an average commute time of 28 minutes and close proximity to shopping and entertainment at the Liberty Tree Mall.
8. Roslindale
Roslindale is a primarily residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Boston that offers affordable home prices and an easy commute. The median home price is $640,000, while the average rent is $3,147. Plus, it’s only 8.5 miles or about a 30-minute drive from downtown Boston, making it a perfect destination for commuters. With good schools, minimal crime, and close proximity to the Arnold Arboretum and Franklin Park Zoo, Roslindale is a great neighborhood for growing families.
9. Waltham
Waltham is another affordable Boston suburb located about 12 miles or a 24-minute drive from downtown Boston in Middlesex County. A major center for education and research, Waltham is home to major universities like Bentley and Brandeis and large companies like Raytheon Technologies. It’s also quite affordable and features a median home price of $648,000 and an average rent of $3,102. With an average commute time of just 24.6 minutes, Waltham is the perfect place for growing families and young professionals who work in Boston.
10 Wakefield
Wakefield is a town in Essex County and another of the most affordable Boston suburbs. Located just 14 miles or a 20-minute drive from Boston, Wakefield also features a median home price of $668,000 and an average rent of $2400. Wakefield residents also enjoy an average commute time of 32.8 minutes. Aside from affordable home prices and a convenient location, Wakefield is also situated on the banks of Lake Quannapowitt, offering natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
11. Dedham
Located along Boston’s southwest border in Norfolk County, Dedham is another affordable suburb with a median home price of $692,000 and an average rent of $2,924. Located just 22 miles or a 30-minute drive from downtown Boston, Dedham residents have an average commute time of 30.6 minutes. Dedham was first settled in 1635 and has a rich history, low crime rate, and easy access to attractions, making it an ideal place to live for families, young professionals, and anyone in search of an affordable town near Boston.