With the coastal charm of Cape Cod and the scenic foliage of the Berkshires, to bustling cities like Boston and historic literary spots in Concord, there are countless reasons to love living in Massachusetts. Whether you’re a history buff or looking for a new place to reside on the East Coast, Massachusetts may be the state for you.
If you’re considering living somewhere in Massachusetts then chances are you also have a budget you’re hoping to stay under. When it comes to buying a home in Massachusetts the median home sale price is $745,000, and the average sale price per square foot is $344.
Don’t worry if those numbers don’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. Redfin has collected 12 of the most affordable places to live in Massachusetts. And the best part is that they all have a median home sale price under $745,000. Read on to see what cities you may want to consider moving to this year.
#1: Chicopee
Median home price: $285,000
Average sale price per square foot: $196
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,375
Median household income: $52,702
Nearest major metro: Springfield (5 miles)
Chicopee, MA homes for sale
Chicopee, MA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $285,000, Chicopee claims the first spot on our list of affordable places to live in Massachusetts. About 5 miles away from Springfield, the nearest major metro, Chicopee is home to roughly 55,600 people. Living in Chicopee, you can check out the local shops and restaurants in the Cabotville Historic District, walk or bike along the Chicopee River, or spend some time outside at Chicopee Memorial State Park.
#2: Springfield
Median home price: $290,000
Average sale price per square foot: $185
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,200
Median household income: $41,571
Springfield, MA homes for sale
Springfield, MA apartments for rent
Massachusetts’s second most affordable city to live in is Springfield. When living in this city of 155,900 people, you can visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, take a walk through Forest Park, visit the Dr. Seuss National Memorial, or check out the animals at the Zoo in Forest Park.
#3: Worcester
Median home price: $405,000
Average sale price per square foot: $256
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,812
Median household income: $51,647
Worcester, MA homes for sale
Worcester, MA apartments for rent
Next is the city of Worcester, which has about 206,500 residents. The median home sale price is $405,000 which is about $100K less than the median home sale price in Massachusetts. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable place in Massachusetts, visit the Worcester Art Museum or the EcoTarium, take a walk or bike ride through Elm Park, and shop at the Worcester Public Market. There are also plenty of amazing and unique Worcester neighborhoods to explore if you call this city home.
#4: Fall River
Median home price: $415,000
Average sale price per square foot: $245
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,662
Median household income: $41,571
Nearest major metro: Providence, RI (20 miles)
Fall River, MA homes for sale
Fall River, MA apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Worcester is Fall River, the next city on our list. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in Fall River. Make sure to spend the afternoon hiking and exploring Copicut Woods, stroll along the Quequechan River Rail Trail, and check out historic landmarks like Battleship Cove, the USS Massachusetts, and the Corky Row Historic District.
#5: Lowell
Median home price: $420,000
Average sale price per square foot: $296
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,854
Median household income: $41,571
Nearest major metro: Boston (30 miles)
Lowell, MA homes for sale
Lowell, MA apartments for rent
Another great area to add to your list is Lowell. Home to 109,900 residents, this affordable town can be a great option to add to your list. In Lowell, you can check out one of the museums like Boott Cotton Museum, The New England Quilt Museum, or Whistler House Museum of Art. You can also visit Lowell National Historical Park and explore the trails at Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest.
#6: Taunton
Median home price: $462,000
Average sale price per square foot: $282
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,313
Median household income: $63,433
Nearest major metro: Providence, RI (20 miles)
Taunton, MA homes for sale
Taunton, MA apartments for rent
Another well-known city is Taunton, where you’ll find the home prices are about $100K less than the state’s average. With roughly 59,400 people calling Taunton home, it’s a great area to consider living in this year. There are plenty of activities to do in this city. You can hike, boat, fish, or camp at Massasoit State Park, and explore the downtown area where you’ll find museums, restaurants, and shops, among many other local favorites.
#7: Haverhill
Median home price: $495,500
Average sale price per square foot: $290
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,190
Median household income: $69,237
Nearest major metro: Boston (35 miles)
Haverhill, MA homes for sale
Haverhill, MA apartments for rent
Claiming the seventh spot on our list of affordable places to live in Massachusetts is Haverhill. With a population of nearly 67,800, Haverhill is a great area to live in that’s not nearly as big as the major metropolitan cities in Massachusetts. If you’re going to call Haverhill home, plan time to explore the riverfront area, check out historic spots like Bradford Common Historic District and Winnekenni Castle, and visit the downtown area.
#8: Brockton
Median home price: $495,000
Average sale price per square foot: $304
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,550
Median household income: $62,249
Nearest major metro: Boston (20 miles)
Brockton, MA homes for sale
Brockton, MA apartments for rent
If you’ve been living in Massachusetts for some time, you likely know of Brockton. About 105,600 people reside in Brockton, a well-known suburb of Boston. Be sure to explore downtown Brockton, check out the Fuller Craft Museum, and visit nearby Ames Nowell State Park once living in Brockton.
#9: Lawrence
Median home price: $585,000
Average sale price per square foot: $272
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,434
Median household income: $45,045
Nearest major metro: Boston (25 miles)
Lawrence, MA homes for sale
Lawrence, MA apartments for rent
Another great place to consider moving to in Massachusetts is Lawrence where the population is about 89,100. Fun activities to do in Lawrence include checking out parks like O’Connell South Common, O’Neill Park, and Pemberton Park, or exploring the downtown and riverfront areas.
#10: Methuen
Median home price: $600,000
Average sale price per square foot: $290
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,795
Median household income: $83,527
Nearest major metro: Lawrence (5 miles)
Methuen, MA homes for sale
Methuen, MA apartments for rent
Next up on our list is Methuen, about 5 miles away from Lawrence, the nearest major metro. This city has a population of 53,100 and you can golf at one of the courses in town, explore Nevins Bird Sanctuary, and see a concert at Methuen Memorial Music Hall. There’s always something to check out while living in Methuen.
#11: Revere
Median home price: $612,500
Average sale price per square foot: $333
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,800
Median household income: $68,331
Nearest major metro: Boston (5 miles)
Revere, MA homes for sale
Revere, MA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $612,500, Revere is another affordable city to consider buying a home in this year. You’ll find there are about 62,200 residents in the Revere area so you’ll have a smaller city-like feel without the big-city prices. If Revere is the city for you, be sure to spend the day outside at Revere Beach, explore the Sea Plane Basin, and check out the local restaurants in town.
#12: Peabody
Median home price: $628,750
Average sale price per square foot: $340
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,577
Median household income: $80,681
Nearest major metro: Boston (15 miles)
Peabody, MA homes for sale
Peabody, MA apartments for rent
The city of Peabody takes the 12th and final spot on our list of affordable places to live in Massachusetts. For those looking to buy a home, the median sale price is $628,750. If you’re looking to visit the nearest major city, Boston is 15 miles away from Peabody. There is plenty to do in Peabody like visiting Brooksby Farm where you can pick your own fruit during the summer or enjoy the pumpkin patch in the fall, spending time outside at Winnona Pond, and golfing at one of the courses.
Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census, have a median home sale price and average sale price per square foot under the average median home sale price and average sale price per square foot in Massachusetts. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during August 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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