13 Most Affordable Places to Live in Massachusetts in 2024

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 $643,000.

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 13 of the most affordable places to live in Massachusetts. And the best part is that they all have a median home sale price under $643,000. Read on to see what cities you may want to consider moving to this year.

#1: Springfield

Median home price: $300,000
Average sale price per square foot: $197
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,200
Median household income: $41,571
Springfield, MA homes for sale
Springfield, MA apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $300,000, Springfield claims the first spot on our list of affordable places to live in Massachusetts. 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.

#2: Chicopee

Median home price: $312,500
Average sale price per square foot: $245
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

Massachusetts’s second most affordable city to live in is Chicopee. 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.

#3: New Bedford

Median home price: $420,000
Average sale price per square foot: $243
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,835
Median household income: $54,604
Nearest major metro: Providence, RI (30 miles)
New Bedford, MA homes for sale
New Bedford, MA apartments for rent

Third on our list is New Bedford, located in southern Massachusetts. Home to about 100,600 residents, this waterfront city is a great place to call home. In New Bedford, you can check out some of the historic places like the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum, the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, and Fort Rodman. Make sure to spend a sunny day at East Beach, have a meal along the waterfront, or explore the charming downtown area. 

#4: Taunton

Median home price: $444,450
Average sale price per square foot: $286
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 $200K 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.

#5: Lowell

Median home price: $444,500
Average sale price per square foot: $307
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: Worcester

Median home price: $455,500
Average sale price per square foot: $265
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  $455,500 which is about $190K less than the median home sale price in Massachusetts. If you find yourself moving to the sixth 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.

#7: Brockton

Median home price: $479,900
Average sale price per square foot: $305
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.

#8: Fall River

Median home price: $510,000
Average sale price per square foot: $224
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.

#9: Lawrence

Median home price: $530,000
Average sale price per square foot: $298
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: Haverhill

Median home price: $530,000
Average sale price per square foot: $307
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 tenth 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.

#11: Methuen

Median home price: $550,000
Average sale price per square foot: $320
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.

#12: Lynn

Median home price: $554,500
Average sale price per square foot: $380
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,900
Median household income: $70,046
Nearest major metro: Boston (13 miles)
Lynn, MA homes for sale
Lynn, MA apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $554,500, Lynn is another affordable city to consider buying a home in this year. You’ll find there are about 101,200 residents in the Lynn area so you’ll have a smaller city-like feel without the big-city prices. If Lynn is the city for you, be sure to spend the day outside at King’s Beach and Red Rock Park, explore the Lynn Woods Reservation, and check out a show at Lynn Memorial Auditorium.

#13: Weymouth

Median home price: $610,000
Average sale price per square foot: $389
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,857
Median household income: $95,879
Nearest major metro: Boston (15 miles)
Weymouth, MA homes for sale
Weymouth, MA apartments for rent

The city of Weymouth takes the 13th 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 $610,000. If you’re looking to visit the nearest major city, Boston is 15 miles away from Weymouth. There is plenty to do in Weymouth like visiting Webb Memorial State Park where you can see views of the Boston Harbor, spending time outside at King Oak Hill Park, and grabbing a meal at one of the local restaurants.

Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Massachusetts. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during July 2024. 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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