Best suburbs in Boston
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- Population: 31,957
- Median home value: $1,076,900
- Median rental price: $2,133
- Top schools nearby: Needham High School (grade A+), Pollard Middle School (grade A+), Charles E. Brown Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $1,076,900
- Median rental price: $2,133
- Top schools nearby: Needham High School (grade A+), Pollard Middle School (grade A+), Charles E. Brown Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#25. Needham, Massachusetts
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- Population: 11,254
- Median home value: $628,500
- Median rental price: $1,185
- Top schools nearby: Luther Conant School (grade A), Swallow Union Elementary School (grade A), Paul P. Gates Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Groton School (grade A+), Lawrence Academy (grade A+), Academy of Notre Dame - Upper School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $628,500
- Median rental price: $1,185
- Top schools nearby: Luther Conant School (grade A), Swallow Union Elementary School (grade A), Paul P. Gates Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Groton School (grade A+), Lawrence Academy (grade A+), Academy of Notre Dame - Upper School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#24. Groton, Massachusetts
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- Population: 80,464
- Median home value: $860,500
- Median rental price: $2,357
- Top schools nearby: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), Arlington High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+
- Median home value: $860,500
- Median rental price: $2,357
- Top schools nearby: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), Arlington High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+
#23. Somerville, Massachusetts
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- Population: 36,389
- Median home value: $756,600
- Median rental price: $2,037
- Top schools nearby: High Plain Elementary School (grade A), Wood Hill Middle School (grade A), The Birches Academy of Academics & Art (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Phillips Academy Andover (grade A+), Brooks School (grade A+), St. John's Prep (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $756,600
- Median rental price: $2,037
- Top schools nearby: High Plain Elementary School (grade A), Wood Hill Middle School (grade A), The Birches Academy of Academics & Art (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Phillips Academy Andover (grade A+), Brooks School (grade A+), St. John's Prep (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#22. Andover, Massachusetts
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- Population: 36,589
- Median home value: $710,100
- Median rental price: $1,973
- Top schools nearby: Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A), Natick High School (grade A), Brown Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $710,100
- Median rental price: $1,973
- Top schools nearby: Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A), Natick High School (grade A), Brown Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#21. Natick, Massachusetts
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- Population: 5,462
- Median home value: $653,300
- Median rental price: $1,726
- Top schools nearby: Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (grade A+), Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A), Luther Conant School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Groton School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $653,300
- Median rental price: $1,726
- Top schools nearby: Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (grade A+), Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A), Luther Conant School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Groton School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#20. Boxborough, Massachusetts
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- Population: 28,450
- Median home value: $838,100
- Median rental price: $1,454
- Top schools nearby: Glover Elementary School (grade A), Milton High School (grade A), Cunningham School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Milton Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $838,100
- Median rental price: $1,454
- Top schools nearby: Glover Elementary School (grade A), Milton High School (grade A), Cunningham School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Milton Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#19. Milton, Massachusetts
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- Population: 4,404
- Median home value: $898,900
- Median rental price: $2,234
- Top schools nearby: Dover-Sherborn Regional High School (grade A+), Dover-Sherborn Regional Middle School (grade A+), Natick High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Sebastian's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+), Dana Hall School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $898,900
- Median rental price: $2,234
- Top schools nearby: Dover-Sherborn Regional High School (grade A+), Dover-Sherborn Regional Middle School (grade A+), Natick High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Sebastian's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+), Dana Hall School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#18. Sherborn, Massachusetts
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- Population: 18,926
- Median home value: $892,700
- Median rental price: $2,013
- Top schools nearby: Wayland High School (grade A+), Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (grade A+), Wayland Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Mark's School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $892,700
- Median rental price: $2,013
- Top schools nearby: Wayland High School (grade A+), Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (grade A+), Wayland Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Mark's School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#17. Sudbury, Massachusetts
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- Population: 12,844
- Median home value: $836,400
- Median rental price: $1,264
- Top schools nearby: Medfield Senior High School (grade A), Dale Street School (grade A), Thomas Blake Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Sebastian's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $836,400
- Median rental price: $1,264
- Top schools nearby: Medfield Senior High School (grade A), Dale Street School (grade A), Thomas Blake Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Sebastian's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#16. Medfield, Massachusetts
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- Population: 6,937
- Median home value: $808,600
- Median rental price: $1,739
- Top schools nearby: Wayland High School (grade A+), Wayland Middle School (grade A+), Loker Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $808,600
- Median rental price: $1,739
- Top schools nearby: Wayland High School (grade A+), Wayland Middle School (grade A+), Loker Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#15. Cochituate, Massachusetts
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- Population: 22,809
- Median home value: $1,149,600
- Median rental price: $2,192
- Top schools nearby: Winchester High School (grade A+), Vinson-Owen Elementary School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Phillips Academy Andover (grade A+), Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $1,149,600
- Median rental price: $2,192
- Top schools nearby: Winchester High School (grade A+), Vinson-Owen Elementary School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Phillips Academy Andover (grade A+), Commonwealth School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#14. Winchester, Massachusetts
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- Population: 23,864
- Median home value: $696,500
- Median rental price: $1,781
- Top schools nearby: Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (grade A+), Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A), Luther Conant School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Middlesex School (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+), Belmont Hill School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $696,500
- Median rental price: $1,781
- Top schools nearby: Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (grade A+), Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A), Luther Conant School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Middlesex School (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+), Belmont Hill School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#13. Acton, Massachusetts
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- Population: 2,884
- Median home value: $711,800
- Median rental price: $815
- Top schools nearby: Algonquin Regional High School (grade A+), Albert S. Woodward Memorial School (grade A+), Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Mark's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+), Walnut Hill School for the Arts (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $711,800
- Median rental price: $815
- Top schools nearby: Algonquin Regional High School (grade A+), Albert S. Woodward Memorial School (grade A+), Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Mark's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+), Walnut Hill School for the Arts (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#12. Cordaville, Massachusetts
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- Population: 5,209
- Median home value: $940,300
- Median rental price: $1,296
- Top schools nearby: Concord Carlisle High School (grade A+), Carlisle School (grade A+), Luther Conant School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Middlesex School (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+), Lawrence Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $940,300
- Median rental price: $1,296
- Top schools nearby: Concord Carlisle High School (grade A+), Carlisle School (grade A+), Luther Conant School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Middlesex School (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+), Lawrence Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#11. Carlisle, Massachusetts
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- Population: 10,421
- Median home value: $740,000
- Median rental price: $2,044
- Top schools nearby: MA Academy for Math & Science School (grade A+), Algonquin Regional High School (grade A+), Albert S. Woodward Memorial School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Mark's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+), Bancroft School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $740,000
- Median rental price: $2,044
- Top schools nearby: MA Academy for Math & Science School (grade A+), Algonquin Regional High School (grade A+), Albert S. Woodward Memorial School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Mark's School (grade A+), The Rivers School (grade A+), Bancroft School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#10. Southborough, Massachusetts
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- Population: 24,524
- Median home value: $672,200
- Median rental price: $2,477
- Top schools nearby: Academy for Science & Design High School (grade A+), Westford Academy (grade A+), Academy for Science & Design Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Groton School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $672,200
- Median rental price: $2,477
- Top schools nearby: Academy for Science & Design High School (grade A+), Westford Academy (grade A+), Academy for Science & Design Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Groton School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+), Concord Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#9. Westford, Massachusetts
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- Population: 29,862
- Median home value: $1,424,400
- Median rental price: $2,637
- Top schools nearby: Wellesley Senior High School (grade A+), John D. Hardy Elementary School (grade A+), Hunnewell Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $1,424,400
- Median rental price: $2,637
- Top schools nearby: Wellesley Senior High School (grade A+), John D. Hardy Elementary School (grade A+), Hunnewell Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#8. Wellesley, Massachusetts
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- Population: 45,906
- Median home value: $839,200
- Median rental price: $1,902
- Top schools nearby: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), Luther Conant School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $839,200
- Median rental price: $1,902
- Top schools nearby: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Gibbs School (grade A+), Luther Conant School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#7. Arlington, Massachusetts
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- Population: 18,748
- Median home value: $704,600
- Median rental price: $2,283
- Top schools nearby: Hopkinton High School (grade A+), Hopkinton Middle School (grade A+), Elmwood School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Mark's School (grade A+), Worcester Academy (grade A+), Saint John's High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $704,600
- Median rental price: $2,283
- Top schools nearby: Hopkinton High School (grade A+), Hopkinton Middle School (grade A+), Elmwood School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Mark's School (grade A+), Worcester Academy (grade A+), Saint John's High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#6. Hopkinton, Massachusetts
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- Population: 18,473
- Median home value: $665,000
- Median rental price: $1,991
- Top schools nearby: Sharon High School (grade A+), Sharon Middle School (grade A+), Heights Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Milton Academy (grade A+), St. Sebastian's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $665,000
- Median rental price: $1,991
- Top schools nearby: Sharon High School (grade A+), Sharon Middle School (grade A+), Heights Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Milton Academy (grade A+), St. Sebastian's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#5. Sharon, Massachusetts
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- Population: 13,821
- Median home value: $862,700
- Median rental price: $1,469
- Top schools nearby: Wayland High School (grade A+), Wayland Middle School (grade A+), Loker Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $862,700
- Median rental price: $1,469
- Top schools nearby: Wayland High School (grade A+), Wayland Middle School (grade A+), Loker Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), St. Mark's School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#4. Wayland, Massachusetts
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- Population: 26,997
- Median home value: $1,060,600
- Median rental price: $2,339
- Top schools nearby: Belmont High School (grade A+), Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Daniel Butler School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
- Median home value: $1,060,600
- Median rental price: $2,339
- Top schools nearby: Belmont High School (grade A+), Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (grade A+), Daniel Butler School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#3. Belmont, Massachusetts
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- Population: 34,221
- Median home value: $1,085,000
- Median rental price: $2,818
- Top schools nearby: Lexington High School (grade A+), Bowman Elementary School (grade A+), Maria Hastings Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+
- Median home value: $1,085,000
- Median rental price: $2,818
- Top schools nearby: Lexington High School (grade A+), Bowman Elementary School (grade A+), Maria Hastings Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Middlesex School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+
#2. Lexington, Massachusetts
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- Population: 62,698
- Median home value: $1,181,200
- Median rental price: $2,702
- Top schools nearby: Brookline High School (grade A+), Heath School (grade A+), Lawrence School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+
- Median home value: $1,181,200
- Median rental price: $2,702
- Top schools nearby: Brookline High School (grade A+), Heath School (grade A+), Lawrence School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Commonwealth School (grade A+), Noble and Greenough School (grade A+), Boston University Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A+
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.
#1. Brookline, Massachusetts
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