You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in Massachusetts. Best sururbs in Massachusetts. Best counties in Massachusetts.
Etc., etc., etc.
But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Bay State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.
Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in Massachusetts based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.
We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in Massachusetts ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In Massachusetts For 2024
- Cordaville
- Rowley
- Hopkinton
- South Duxbury
- North Falmouth
- Topsfield
- Williamstown
- Sagamore
- Nahant
- West Falmouth
- Boxford
- Mashpee Neck
- Essex
- Westborough
- Ipswich
What’s the best small town in Massachusetts? Cordaville is the best small town in Massachusetts based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Cordaville, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.
But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.
For more reading on the Bay State check out:
- Best Places To Live In Massachusetts
- Cheapest Places To Live In Massachusetts
- Most Dangerous Cities In Massachusetts
The 15 Best Small Towns In Massachusetts For 2024
1. Cordaville
/10
Population: 2,884
Median Income: $190,170 (4th Best)
Median Home Value: $866,770 (15th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
2. Rowley
/10
Population: 1,642
Median Income: $101,995 (35th Best)
Median Home Value: $712,705 (28th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
3. Hopkinton
/10
Population: 3,298
Median Income: $168,393 (5th Best)
Median Home Value: $867,462 (14th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.1%
4. South Duxbury
/10
Population: 3,409
Median Income: $197,632 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,137,712 (3rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
5. North Falmouth
/10
Population: 2,318
Median Income: $129,421 (13th Best)
Median Home Value: $961,003 (9th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
6. Topsfield
/10
Population: 2,799
Median Income: $156,250 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $883,385 (13th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 6.1%
7. Williamstown
/10
Population: 4,498
Median Income: $110,855 (25th Best)
Median Home Value: $466,513 (69th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.7%
8. Sagamore
/10
Population: 3,966
Median Income: $113,289 (23rd Best)
Median Home Value: $598,629 (38th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
9. Nahant
/10
Population: 3,336
Median Income: $105,867 (31st Best)
Median Home Value: $895,679 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
10. West Falmouth
/10
Population: 1,793
Median Income: $167,083 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $812,460 (18th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 8.7%
11. Boxford
/10
Population: 2,714
Median Income: $247,557 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $970,105 (8th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
12. Mashpee Neck
/10
Population: 1,270
Median Income: $135,536 (11th Best)
Median Home Value: $631,507 (36th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.6%
13. Essex
/10
Population: 1,880
Median Income: $143,615 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $808,059 (19th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.1%
14. Westborough
/10
Population: 4,381
Median Income: $87,411 (50th Best)
Median Home Value: $690,039 (31st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.3%
15. Ipswich
/10
Population: 4,872
Median Income: $95,342 (42nd Best)
Median Home Value: $748,408 (23rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.8%
Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Massachusetts
We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in Massachusetts possible.
Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Lowest Unemployment Rates
- Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
- Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
- Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
- Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
- Commute Times (Lower is better)
We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 97 to be exact.
We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 97, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Massachusetts. Top of that list — Cordaville.
This is our tenth time ranking the best small places to live in Massachusetts.
Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones
We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in Massachusetts are the best in which to live.
And who can argue with that?
The best small towns in Massachusetts are Cordaville, Rowley, Hopkinton, South Duxbury, North Falmouth, Topsfield, Williamstown, Sagamore, Nahant, and West Falmouth.
If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in Massachusetts:
- Monson Center
- Orange
- West Brookfield
For more Massachusetts reading, check out:
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Massachusetts
- Safest Places In Massachusetts
- Worst Places To Live In Massachusetts
Best Small Towns In Massachusetts
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cordaville, MA | 2,884 | $190,170 | 2.7% | |
| 2 | Rowley, MA | 1,642 | $101,995 | 0.0% | |
| 3 | Hopkinton, MA | 3,298 | $168,393 | 4.1% | |
| 4 | South Duxbury, MA | 3,409 | $197,632 | 5.1% | |
| 5 | North Falmouth, MA | 2,318 | $129,421 | 5.6% | |
| 6 | Topsfield, MA | 2,799 | $156,250 | 6.1% | |
| 7 | Williamstown, MA | 4,498 | $110,855 | 0.7% | |
| 8 | Sagamore, MA | 3,966 | $113,289 | 3.0% | |
| 9 | Nahant, MA | 3,336 | $105,867 | 4.2% | |
| 10 | West Falmouth, MA | 1,793 | $167,083 | 8.7% | |
| 11 | Boxford, MA | 2,714 | $247,557 | 5.6% | |
| 12 | Mashpee Neck, MA | 1,270 | $135,536 | 2.6% | |
| 13 | Essex, MA | 1,880 | $143,615 | 1.1% | |
| 14 | Westborough, MA | 4,381 | $87,411 | 2.3% | |
| 15 | Ipswich, MA | 4,872 | $95,342 | 2.8% | |
| 16 | Dover, MA | 2,512 | $250,001 | 13.9% | |
| 17 | North Pembroke, MA | 3,954 | $156,429 | 1.6% | |
| 18 | Bourne, MA | 1,782 | $76,103 | 0.0% | |
| 19 | Sandwich, MA | 2,948 | $99,333 | 4.4% | |
| 20 | Duxbury, MA | 1,761 | $128,000 | 5.6% | |
| 21 | Teaticket, MA | 1,561 | $86,250 | 1.4% | |
| 22 | West Chatham, MA | 1,633 | $130,213 | 6.2% | |
| 23 | Orleans, MA | 1,665 | $72,422 | 0.0% | |
| 24 | Chatham, MA | 1,637 | $84,554 | 8.6% | |
| 25 | Rockport, MA | 4,943 | $89,574 | 7.6% | |
| 26 | East Sandwich, MA | 3,787 | $123,571 | 3.4% | |
| 27 | Provincetown, MA | 3,433 | $91,711 | 8.3% | |
| 28 | Monument Beach, MA | 3,024 | $93,688 | 2.2% | |
| 29 | Hatfield, MA | 1,331 | $99,500 | 1.5% | |
| 30 | Pocasset, MA | 2,627 | $86,150 | 0.9% | |
| 31 | Lenox, MA | 1,999 | $57,460 | 0.0% | |
| 32 | Millis-Clicquot, MA | 4,718 | $111,192 | 1.8% | |
| 33 | North Seekonk, MA | 2,726 | $105,459 | 6.4% | |
| 34 | West Dennis, MA | 2,732 | $82,955 | 1.7% | |
| 35 | Lunenburg, MA | 2,149 | $114,500 | 2.4% | |
| 36 | White Island Shores, MA | 2,223 | $103,372 | 5.4% | |
| 37 | Great Barrington, MA | 1,890 | $44,583 | 3.4% | |
| 38 | Hanson, MA | 2,087 | $110,096 | 5.8% | |
| 39 | Vineyard Haven, MA | 2,367 | $65,313 | 3.7% | |
| 40 | Ayer, MA | 2,969 | $76,094 | 0.9% | |
| 41 | Falmouth, MA | 3,883 | $57,333 | 3.9% | |
| 42 | Forestdale, MA | 3,912 | $118,382 | 2.2% | |
| 43 | South Dennis, MA | 3,101 | $81,607 | 3.0% | |
| 44 | Mattapoisett Center, MA | 2,645 | $95,986 | 3.9% | |
| 45 | Sturbridge, MA | 2,222 | $123,375 | 0.0% | |
| 46 | Norton Center, MA | 2,580 | $109,356 | 4.1% | |
| 47 | Dennis, MA | 1,898 | $113,526 | 5.5% | |
| 48 | Harwich Port, MA | 2,252 | $58,854 | 4.3% | |
| 49 | Harwich Center, MA | 1,419 | $71,806 | 7.1% | |
| 50 | Marshfield Hills, MA | 2,458 | $164,571 | 0.0% | |
| 51 | Upton, MA | 2,596 | $104,913 | 6.4% | |
| 52 | Hopedale, MA | 4,137 | $117,135 | 5.4% | |
| 53 | South Deerfield, MA | 1,953 | $81,577 | 5.8% | |
| 54 | East Douglas, MA | 2,562 | $74,417 | 1.3% | |
| 55 | Littleton Common, MA | 2,870 | $122,854 | 9.1% | |
| 56 | Hanscom Afb, MA | 1,784 | $71,250 | 1.0% | |
| 57 | Rutland, MA | 1,690 | $84,063 | 2.1% | |
| 58 | Shirley, MA | 1,359 | $85,119 | 6.9% | |
| 59 | Groton, MA | 1,472 | $121,484 | 3.4% | |
| 60 | East Dennis, MA | 3,711 | $85,321 | 4.9% | |
| 61 | Lee, MA | 1,507 | $78,021 | 5.8% | |
| 62 | East Pepperell, MA | 1,999 | $109,265 | 4.5% | |
| 63 | Devens, MA | 1,763 | $106,875 | 1.0% | |
| 64 | Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock, MA | 4,637 | $106,528 | 6.3% | |
| 65 | Granby, MA | 1,176 | $94,663 | 4.3% | |
| 66 | Belchertown, MA | 2,648 | $75,284 | 0.9% | |
| 67 | North Lakeville, MA | 3,635 | $85,123 | 3.2% | |
| 68 | Buzzards Bay, MA | 2,993 | $88,791 | 2.4% | |
| 69 | Marshfield, MA | 4,868 | $93,491 | 4.8% | |
| 70 | Turners Falls, MA | 3,838 | $53,306 | 2.9% | |
| 71 | Wilbraham, MA | 3,839 | $97,891 | 3.8% | |
| 72 | Brewster, MA | 1,739 | $62,695 | 7.1% | |
| 73 | North Eastham, MA | 1,971 | $81,544 | 10.5% | |
| 74 | Bellingham, MA | 4,636 | $76,729 | 10.4% | |
| 75 | South Lancaster, MA | 1,642 | $101,250 | 19.0% | |
| 76 | East Brookfield, MA | 1,345 | $76,406 | 1.3% | |
| 77 | South Ashburnham, MA | 1,049 | $100,455 | 0.0% | |
| 78 | Acushnet Center, MA | 3,164 | $67,333 | 7.8% | |
| 79 | North Westport, MA | 4,660 | $82,408 | 1.7% | |
| 80 | Smith Mills, MA | 4,556 | $73,393 | 2.4% | |
| 81 | Ocean Grove, MA | 2,691 | $75,208 | 7.4% | |
| 82 | Wareham Center, MA | 2,654 | $69,286 | 4.9% | |
| 83 | Northwest Harwich, MA | 4,076 | $81,268 | 12.8% | |
| 84 | Pepperell, MA | 2,205 | $91,406 | 6.6% | |
| 85 | North Brookfield, MA | 2,437 | $73,904 | 2.0% | |
| 86 | Holland, MA | 1,452 | $78,462 | 3.1% | |
| 87 | North Plymouth, MA | 4,418 | $59,696 | 18.1% | |
| 88 | Shelburne Falls, MA | 1,699 | $54,250 | 7.1% | |
| 89 | Fiskdale, MA | 2,827 | $83,546 | 8.6% | |
| 90 | Millers Falls, MA | 1,061 | $60,455 | 4.3% | |
| 91 | Winchendon, MA | 4,461 | $56,042 | 6.8% | |
| 92 | Dennis Port, MA | 3,300 | $54,071 | 11.6% | |
| 93 | Townsend, MA | 1,131 | $61,546 | 3.3% | |
| 94 | West Wareham, MA | 2,605 | $52,771 | 5.6% | |
| 95 | West Brookfield, MA | 1,532 | $53,849 | 13.7% | |
| 96 | Orange, MA | 3,731 | $55,558 | 13.0% | |
| 97 | Monson Center, MA | 1,673 | $51,902 | 16.6% |