The 25 Most Beautiful Places to Live In Massachusetts That Are Still Affordable

1. Rockport

Rockport in Massachusetts is a coastal town with beautiful views across the bay, safe sandy beaches, and nature-filled hiking trails. Around 7,000 folks live in Rockport, which makes it lively without feeling too bustling. Nearby Danvers, Gloucester, and Newburyport have a livelier feel if you fancy a change of pace.

2. Leominster

Just 1.5 hours from Boston, Leominster is a thriving town of 70,000 folks. With affordable rents on condos, townhouses and single family houses, it’s a great place set up a first home. Leominster boasts 12 well-rated schools, too. It’s a family friendly place with beautiful parks and playgrounds.

3. Springfield

Springfield in Hampden County is the third most populous city in Massachusetts with a population of over 150,000 folks. One of the top reasons people move here is for its highly rated schools. Families also enjoy its parks, playgrounds, and the beautiful Connecticut River on Springfield’s eastern bank.

4. Somerville

Thriving Somerville draws young people to it’s vibrant streets, coffee shops, and nightlife. It’s just a short distance from Boston, so many professionals choose to live here too, maximizing value and convenience. The Seven Hills areas boast glorious views across Boston.

5. North Adams

North Adams in Berkshire County is an affordable town with North America’s largest art gallery, interesting museums, and gentle hikes through Natural Bridge State Park. It’s a popular place for retirees given the low cost of living and relatively small population of under 13,000.

6. Quincy

Norfolk County’s most affordable coastal city is Quincy with its historic city center. It’s homes are below median average so over 100,000 folks live here.

Quincy is one of Boston’s southern suburbs. It has clean, sandy beaches and Blue Hills Reservation, a state park with glorious swamps, mountains, and meadows.

7. Brewster

Located on Lower Cape Cod Bay with 10,000 residents, Brewster is 90 miles from Boston with 325 acres of clean bays and 80 lakes for family fun.

Nickerson State Park stretches 1,900 aces and the Cape Cod Rail Trail runs straight through it. There’s also two excellent elementary schools here.

8. Wakefield

Wakefield in Middlesex County is close to Boston but doesn’t have the hefty price tag. Here you’ll find an eclectic mix of 37,000 young home owners and renters enjoying trendy cafes alongside two high schools, a middle school, and four elementaries.

Nearby Breakheart Reservation is popular with anglers whereas children enjoy Colonel Connelly Park’s playgrounds.

9. Framington

Southern Massachusetts’ Framington is a popular place for college students and retirees who enjoy a lively atmosphere. 72,000 folks live in Framington and there’s a high population of Brazilian Americans.

A beautiful place of note here is the Garden In The Woods, a 45-acre botanical garden filled with New England‘s largest landscaped collection of native wildflowers.

10. Yarmouth

Located on Cape Cod, Yarmouth is one of the most affordable place to live in Massachusetts if you want to enjoy the sea life.

It’s shoreline encompasses Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound where old towns and new trendy villages have popped up to home 25,000 residents.

Numerous wild-life rich nature trails follow the coastline and cut inland to meadows and forests. Visitors love the Whydah Pirate Museum and Yarmouth’s wide-open spaces filled with fresh air.

11. Adams

Small town Adams is popular with both retirees and young families. Situated in Northern Berkshire County, this gem only has 8,000 residents. Adams shares an elementary school with neighbours and high school students hop over the border to Cheshire County.

Numerous nature trails run through Adams. Most notable are 14.2 mile long Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and Whipple State Nature Reserve.

12. Stoneham

Just north of Boston, Stoneham is home to 23,000 residents. It offers beautiful scenery, good schools, and affordable homes. It also has a reputation for being the friendliest town in the state.

Stoneham boasts biking, hiking, and angler-friendly Middlesex Fells Reservation, plus popular Stone Zoo, home to an incredible jaguar.

13. Waltham

Just half an hour from downtown Boston is vibrant Waltham. Most of its 63,500 residents are young adults who travel into Boston but enjoy Waltham’s cheaper rents.

Waltham lies along the Charles River and contains 485-foot tall Prospect Hill in Prospect Hill Park, the oldest public space for biking, hiking, and running in Waltham. 

14. Montague

Montague in Franklin County, western Massachusetts is one of the best value places to live in the state. It’s cost of living is lower than the national average and home prices are currently falling. Just 8,000 folks live here, though with low prices that’s bound to increase.

The Connecticut River runs along the western boundary and Montague Plains Wildlife Area is great for off-road biking, hiking, and wildlife spotting.

15. Gloucester

Located on Cape Ann, Gloucester has affordable pockets. The vibe here is slow with enough amenities, including good schools, to keep all 30,000 residents happy.

Beautiful beaches and harbors are the main attraction. Thousands of summertime visitors arrive annually to enjoy boating, kayaking, and picnics on Gloucester’s pristine beaches.

16. Westfield

Hampton County’s Westfield has a bustling population of 40,000. It’s situated close enough to Boston to attract young professionals, but there’s still affordable homes for young families.

Westfield River runs through the historic city center and two mountain ridges edge the town’s eastern border. East Mountain and Provin Mountain makes for some epic trail hiking.

17. Wayland

Wayland in Middlesex County has an excellent school system, but it’s still one of the most affordable places in Massachusetts.

This is a quiet community of 8,500 folks, most of which are families. It’s close enough to Boston for days out, so its few amenities there aren’t a problem. Wayland has plenty of parks and playgrounds, plus 19 conservation areas for walking and biking.

18. Malden

Located in Middlesex County, just 30 minutes from Boston, affordable Malden is attractive to young professionals. It’s vibrant nightlife and affordable rents have attracted over 66,000 residents.

Middlesex Fells Reservation lies in the north west and over 30 parks and playground dot the urban areas.

19. Pittsfield

Western Massachusetts’ Pittsfield is home to 43,000 residents. It’s a beautiful town with excellent public transport systems.

Pittsfield lies close to the Housatonic River and 11,000 acre Pittsfield State Forest, which is perfect for hiking, biking and skiing.  

20. Lenox

Situated in Berkshire County, Lenox is home to just over 5,000 residents. It’s a quiet spot near the Berkshire Mountains that attracts wildlife lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who prefer an affordable lifestyle.

21. New Bedford

Located on the south coast, New Bedford is popular with water lovers. It’s home to 100,000 residents and has a well-rated high school. Walkable downtown is filled with this town’s rich history, and New Bedford Harbor, the Acushnet River’s estuary, homes many birds including buzzards.

22. Newton

Newton is a family friendly place with affordable housing and 87,500 folks creating a dense suburban feel. It’s schools perform well and the town is only seven miles from Boston for days out.

The Charles River runs through Newton. It’s Seven Hills’ unique glacial geology is interesting to study and hike over.

23. Watertown

Just 25 miles from Boston is Watertown. It’s popular with young professionals and home to 35,500 residents. Its affordable housing and lifestyle means many folks commute for work.

Watertown was the first Massachusetts Bay Puritan settlement, founded in 1630. It’s museums are filled with interesting historical finds.

24. Fitchburg

Fitchburg is home to just under 42,000 residents. It offers a dense, urban environment with affordable homes, but it’s located in the beautiful hilly countryside.

Old mills line the Nashua River and popular Minute Man National Historical Park is a hit with locals. Nature-filled Walden Pond is a relaxing space away form the bustle of big town living.

25. Great Barrington

Situated in Berkshire County, Great Barrington is a mixture of modern shops and cafes with nature right on the doorstep. Excellent ski resort Butternut Basin is close by and there’s plenty of mountain trails for hikers and bikers to escape the urban life. Despite all this, Great Barrington only has 6,800 residents and it remains one of Massachusetts’ most affordable places.