From the Boston Children’s Museum to the New England Aquarium, there are plenty of amenities that draw families to the lively historic city of
Boston. But if you’re not sold on city life and you’re looking for a quiet suburban oasis nearby, we’ve got you covered.
By using crime rates, school rankings, commute times, and more, we came up with the following 10 best Boston suburbs for families.
Let’s take a look at the winners.
1. Belmont
Key Stats:
- GreatSchools.org score: 9.5 out of 10
- Unemployment rate: 4.6 percent
The scenic historic suburb of Belmont kicks off our list with plenty of great housing options for families. Colonial style homes on quiet tree-lined streets are common picks for home buyers here.
Cool off in the summer at the Underwood Pool or enjoy family fun no matter the weather with games and activities at the indoor Belmont Kid Space. Walking trails, a playground, and the splash park at Beaver Brook Reservation are perfect for outdoorsy families, while the Children’s Room at the Belmont Public Library is a great place to curl up with a good book.
2. Winchester
Key Stats:
- GreatSchools.org score: 9.9 out of 10
- Median household income: $131,000
Winchester earns the second place spot with a nearly perfect GreatSchools.org score. Families searching for the perfect home in Winchester have a variety of options including spacious condos, Colonial houses, and Cape Cod style homes.
Spend a day fishing, swimming, or picnicking at Mystic Lake’s scenic beaches. The Winchester Public library is the perfect place to grab a new book or enjoy extensive children’s programming including family storytime, cooking classes, craft projects, and sleepovers.
3. Newton
Key Stats:
- GreatSchools.org score: 9 out of 10
- Median household income: $119,148
Newton earns the third place spot on our list of the best Boston suburbs for families with housing options to fit a family of any size. Modern condos, classic Colonials, and cozy craftsman style homes are common in this suburb.
Check out a new book, get homework help, or enjoy an event at the Newton Free Library. The Newton Centre Playground offers swings, tennis courts, and fields to keep active kids entertained. There are also several fall, spring, and summer camps and youth sports leagues in Newton.
4. Lexington
Key Stats:
- GreatSchools.org score: 9.3 out of 10
- Median household income: $139,561
- Total crimes per 100k: 763
The history-filled suburb of Lexington has a whole lot to offer families, including great schools and a safe environment. Ranch style homes and spacious Colonial houses on large lots are common.
Enjoy a day of golf with the whole family at the kid-friendly Stone Meadow Golf Course or hike the trails at Arlington’s Great Meadow and play at Adams Playground. The Cary Memorial Library offers extensive children and teen programming to keep book lovers engaged.
5. Stoneham
Key Stats:
- Average commute time: 24 minutes
- Unemployment rate: 6 percent
Stoneham residents enjoy quiet tree-lined streets and a pedestrian-friendly Main Street. Families searching for the perfect modern condo, Colonial, or Cape Cod-style home will have their pick of options in the Boston suburb of Stoneham.
The Stone Zoo provides the perfect spot for a fun day trip for the whole family. Active kids will love hiking, swimming, and exploring at the 2,575-acre Middlesex Fells Reservation. The public library, free outdoor concerts, and children’s programs through Stoneham Theater provide plenty of ways to stay involved in the community.
6. Marblehead
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 871
- Unemployment rate: 5.6 percent
The coastal town of Marblehead is perfect for families who love waterfront activities. Housing options range from modern beachfront condos to stately Colonial homes and cozy cottages.
Enjoy a day of fun in the sun at Devereaux Beach or take your kids to three well-maintained city playgrounds. The Marblehead Public Library offers a variety of children and teen programming, and has a museum pass program so families can enjoy a day at nearby Boston museums without breaking the bank.
7. Arlington
Key Stats:
- GreatSchools.org score: 8.7 out of 10
- Unemployment rate: 6 percent
Arlington earns the seventh place spot on our list of Boston suburbs for families with a variety of great housing options including Colonials and craftsman style homes on quiet tree-lined streets.
Community events like the Summer Arts Block Party are fun for the whole family. Super long slides, jungle gyms, and swings at Robbins Farm Park are sure to keep active kids entertained.
8. Melrose
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 1,024
- Median household income: $85,704
Home buyers in the scenic Boston suburb of Melrose are sure to find options for a family of any size. Modern condos, spacious Colonials, and cozy craftsman style homes are all common in Melrose.
Take swimming lessons at the Melrose YMCA or enjoy a beautiful day outside a numerous city playgrounds. Pine Banks Park offers wooded walking trails, sports fields, ponds, and picnic areas perfect for active families.
9. Nahant
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 751
- Monthly housing costs: $1,425
The coastal town of Nahant is the perfect Boston suburb for families who just can’t get enough time out on the water. Beachfront condos and spacious seaside cottages are common picks for home buyers.
Enjoy a day of swimming, boating, or sandcastle building at the scenic Nahant Beach or play at the Flash Road Playground. Numerous young sports leagues are sure to keep kids active and entertained.
10. Brookline
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 1,282
- Unemployment rate: 6 percent
The lively, conveniently located suburb of Brookline offers a more suburban environment just minutes away from downtown Boston. Families will find plenty of modern condos and townhouses and a few spacious Colonial and Tudor-style homes.
Enjoy swimming year round at the Evelyn Kirrane Aquatic Center or watch the geese and enjoy a picnic at Larz Anderson Park. The Public Library of Brookline offers extensive children and teen programming for book lovers.
Our Methodology
To create this list of the best Boston suburbs for families, we looked at the following criteria:
- GreatSchools.org Score
- Total crimes per 100k
- Unemployment rate
- Average commute time
- Median household income
- Median monthly housing costs (the lower the better)
We ranked each Boston suburb in the above categories. Because some things are of extra importance to families, we weighted the GreatSchools.org score and total crimes per 100k score to make up 25 percent of the final score, while the rest of the categories made up 10 percent.
We sourced data from GreatSchools.org, the U.S. Census, and
AreaVibes.
Want to see how other Boston suburbs measured up? Check out the table below:
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