Pack your bags—or just your smug sense of civic pride. Brookline has officially been crowned the best place to live in the Boston metro area, according to a new ranking by Stacker that pulled data from Niche’s deep-dive analysis of livability factors across the region.
The leafy enclave just west of Boston snagged the top spot thanks to its high marks in education, safety, walkability and housing, earning an overall A+ grade. If you’re already picturing Victorian townhouses and Green Line trains gliding past Coolidge Corner, you’re not alone. Brookline blends urban edge with suburban calm, though its sky-high home prices make it more aspirational than accessible for many.
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Hot on its heels were Cambridge, Lexington, Belmont and Newton, each boasting their own A+ Niche scores and postcard-worthy vibes. Cambridge continues its reign as a list darling, with recent nods from both Niche and Boston Magazine as the best place to live not just in Greater Boston, but the entire U.S. back in 2023.
The rest of the top 25 is a greatest hits of well-heeled, family-friendly towns: think Sudbury, Wellesley, Winchester and Hopkinton. But don’t sleep on the so-called bottom five. Even #25 Westwood and #24 Medway earned A or A+ grades, proving that “last place” on this list still means top-tier public schools, low crime and a solid quality of life.
The rankings were compiled using 15 weighted factors, including cost of living, education level, diversity, outdoor access and nightlife. Stacker relied on data from the U.S. Census, public health sources and user-reported experiences on Niche to crunch the numbers.
So, whether you’re looking to settle down, trade up or just fuel your neighborhood envy, Greater Boston’s best are ready for their close-up. Just don’t expect a deal—many of these A+ towns also come with A+ price tags.