
West Tisbury is the most peaceful town on Martha's Vineyard, with home prices averaging $4,150,000. Stone walls, open fields, and protected conservation land shape the landscape. The Granary Gallery and a weekly farmers market keep the small community active. Homes rarely come up for sale here, and most buyers come from New York or Boston looking for a second home. There's no commercial strip and no crowded beaches; just quiet, and that's the whole appeal.
West Tisbury is the most peaceful town on Martha's Vineyard, with home prices averaging $4,150,000. Stone walls, open fields, and protected conservation land shape the landscape. The Granary Gallery and a weekly farmers market kee...
Personal Safety : 95
Property Safety : 93
Community Safety : 98
$1,980,000
Median Home Rent
$12,000

Duxbury is a historic sailing town on Plymouth Bay, about 35 miles south of Boston, with homes averaging $3,050,000. Many properties sit right on the water, with private docks and bay views. Duxbury Beach, one of the longest barrier beaches on the South Shore, anchors the coastal lifestyle here. Schools rank among the best in the state. Boston is about an hour away, close enough for commuters who want a quieter home base.
Duxbury is a historic sailing town on Plymouth Bay, about 35 miles south of Boston, with homes averaging $3,050,000. Many properties sit right on the water, with private docks and bay views. Duxbury Beach, one of the longest barri...
Personal Safety : 93
Property Safety : 90
Community Safety : 91
$1,195,000
Median Home Rent
$3,332

Needham sits 12 miles west of Boston, with home prices averaging $2,100,000. The train gets you to South Station in under 30 minutes, which makes it a favorite for commuting professionals and families. Homes are spacious, schools are top-rated, and the town center has the shops and restaurants you'd want within walking distance. It's one of the most sought-after and priciest suburbs on Boston's west side.
Needham sits 12 miles west of Boston, with home prices averaging $2,100,000. The train gets you to South Station in under 30 minutes, which makes it a favorite for commuting professionals and families. Homes are spacious, schools ...
Personal Safety : 85
Property Safety : 75
Community Safety : 86
$1,737,250
Median Home Rent
$3,758

Wellesley is one of the wealthiest suburbs in Massachusetts, about 14 miles west of Boston, with homes averaging $1,825,000. Wellesley College gives the town a cultural edge, with public lectures and concerts open to residents. Expect large estate-style homes on tree-lined streets, strong schools, and upscale local shopping. Commuter rail into Boston adds convenience without sacrificing the quieter suburban pace.
Wellesley is one of the wealthiest suburbs in Massachusetts, about 14 miles west of Boston, with homes averaging $1,825,000. Wellesley College gives the town a cultural edge, with public lectures and concerts open to residents. Ex...
Personal Safety : 90
Property Safety : 94
Community Safety : 89
$2,395,000
Median Home Rent
$4,600

Lexington is one of the priciest Boston suburbs, known for its top-ranked schools and Revolutionary War history, with homes averaging $1,662,500. The town centers on the historic Battle Green, but today it's just as known for well-kept neighborhoods and strong property values. Local shops and restaurants cluster around the town center. Route 2 traffic is the trade-off for Boston commuters, but most residents say the schools make it worth it.
Lexington is one of the priciest Boston suburbs, known for its top-ranked schools and Revolutionary War history, with homes averaging $1,662,500. The town centers on the historic Battle Green, but today it's just as known for well...
Personal Safety : 93
Property Safety : 86
Community Safety : 92
$1,698,500
Median Home Rent
$4,100

Brookline sits right next to Boston, with home prices averaging $1,515,000. The Green Line puts downtown within easy reach, while Coolidge Corner keeps the neighborhood feel intact with cafes, bookstores, and restaurants nearby. Housing here ranges from historic brownstones to upscale condos. Strong schools and tight inventory keep this one of the most competitive markets in the state.
Brookline sits right next to Boston, with home prices averaging $1,515,000. The Green Line puts downtown within easy reach, while Coolidge Corner keeps the neighborhood feel intact with cafes, bookstores, and restaurants nearby. H...
Personal Safety : 86
Property Safety : 86
Community Safety : 90
$1,500,000
Median Home Rent
$3,875

Edgartown is one of the most established towns on Martha's Vineyard, with homes averaging $1,510,000. Its historic harbor and classic New England architecture reflect a long maritime past. Main Street stays busy all summer with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. It's a strong second-home market, especially for buyers who want a proven, well-established island lifestyle rather than a newer development.
Edgartown is one of the most established towns on Martha's Vineyard, with homes averaging $1,510,000. Its historic harbor and classic New England architecture reflect a long maritime past. Main Street stays busy all summer with bo...
Personal Safety : 89
Property Safety : 84
Community Safety : 81
$2,862,500
Median Home Rent
$19,500

Newton is known for wealthy residential neighborhoods and top-ranked schools, just west of Boston, with homes averaging $1,450,000. The city is made up of 13 distinct villages, each with its own shops and restaurants. Both commuter rail and the Green Line connect residents to Boston. Housing options range from Victorian homes to newer luxury builds, giving buyers more variety than many nearby towns.
Newton is known for wealthy residential neighborhoods and top-ranked schools, just west of Boston, with homes averaging $1,450,000. The city is made up of 13 distinct villages, each with its own shops and restaurants. Both commute...
Personal Safety : 95
Property Safety : 86
Community Safety : 91
$1,749,000
Median Home Rent
$3,400

Cambridge sits directly across the Charles River from Boston, with homes averaging $1,350,000. Harvard and MIT shape the city's identity and draw a steady stream of academics and researchers. The Red Line gets you downtown in about 10 minutes. Inventory stays tight and demand stays high, so homes here often sell fast and above asking price.
Cambridge sits directly across the Charles River from Boston, with homes averaging $1,350,000. Harvard and MIT shape the city's identity and draw a steady stream of academics and researchers. The Red Line gets you downtown in abou...
Personal Safety : 50
Property Safety : 49
Community Safety : 61
$1,350,000
Median Home Rent
$3,400

Somerville borders both Cambridge and Boston, with homes averaging $952,000; the most affordable entry point on this list. Davis Square and Union Square drive the social scene, with restaurants, bars, and live music throughout the week. The Green Line Extension has made the city easier than ever to reach. Prices are rising fast, so it's still expensive, just less so than its neighbors.
Somerville borders both Cambridge and Boston, with homes averaging $952,000; the most affordable entry point on this list. Davis Square and Union Square drive the social scene, with restaurants, bars, and live music throughout the...
Personal Safety : 80
Property Safety : 56
Community Safety : 78
$1,099,500
Median Home Rent
$3,550
Transparent & data-driven
Each city is scored across five weighted categories using daily MLS data and verified government stats. Every metric is benchmarked against both its state average and the national average — dual benchmarking — so a market isn’t judged expensive just for sitting in a high-cost state.
Sale price, price per sq ft & high-value concentration vs. state and national benchmarks.
Median rent, rent-to-income ratio & rental demand vs. state and national medians.
The gap between median household income and the cost of living for the area.
Turnover, scarcity, days on market & buyer competition from Houzeo’s live MLS feed.
Utilities, transportation & everyday goods vs. state and national averages — the tiebreaker.
MLS metrics update daily; government data is added on each agency’s release schedule.
High home prices are only part of the equation in Massachusetts's priciest markets. Groceries, utilities, and insurance all run above the national average. Coastal homeowner's insurance alone can add thousands to your annual budget. Here is what to expect across five of Massachusetts's most expensive cities.
| City | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Cost of Living | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Tisbury | $4,150,000 | $12,000 | 1/10 | |
| Duxbury | $3,050,000 | $3,332 | 2/10 | |
| Needham | $2,100,000 | $3,758 | 3/10 | |
| Wellesley | $1,825,000 | $4,039 | 4/10 | |
| Lexington | $1,662,500 | $3,574 | 5/10 |
Safety is a key factor for many people moving to Massachusetts. These cities rank among the safest in the state based on the latest FBI crime data. They report lower rates of violent and property crime than the Massachusetts average. You can explore the full list in our safest places to live in Massachusetts rankings.
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