The 10 Best Small Towns In Massachusetts For 2022


We used science and data to determine which small towns in Massachusetts are the best of the best.

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You've seen these lists before: Best places to live in Massachusetts, Most Beautiful Downtowns, etc., etc. But all of them 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 best 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 just want to know which places in Massachusetts ranked the based--you know, based on science.

Before we get to the top 15, here's a look at the 10 Best Small Towns To Live in Massachusetts for 2022.

The 10 Best Small Towns To Live In Massachusetts For 2022

  1. West Falmouth
  2. Cordaville
  3. Williamstown
  4. North Falmouth
  5. Hopkinton
  6. The Pinehills
  7. Rowley
  8. Nahant
  9. South Duxbury
  10. Boxford

What's the best small town in Massachusetts? West Falmouth is the best small town in Massachusetts based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like West Falmouth, 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:

The 15 Best Small Towns In Massachusetts For 2022

1. West Falmouth

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,836
Median Income: $129,688 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $645,200 (8th Best)
More on West Falmouth: Data | Homes For Sale

2. Cordaville

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,884
Median Income: $167,593 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $614,600 (11th Best)
More on Cordaville: Data | Homes For Sale

3. Williamstown

Overall SnackAbility

7.5
/10

Population: 4,565
Median Income: $80,000 (48th Best)
Median Home Value: $371,800 (50th Best)
More on Williamstown: Data | Homes For Sale

4. North Falmouth

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,572
Median Income: $97,407 (25th Best)
Median Home Value: $550,200 (19th Best)
More on North Falmouth: Data | Homes For Sale

5. Hopkinton

Hopkinton, MA

Source: Wikipedia User John Phelan | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,864
Median Income: $141,713 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $569,600 (16th Best)
More on Hopkinton: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

6. The Pinehills

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 4,531
Median Income: $106,964 (18th Best)
Median Home Value: $569,300 (17th Best)
More on The Pinehills: Data | Homes For Sale

7. Rowley

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 1,803
Median Income: $92,949 (33rd Best)
Median Home Value: $471,500 (26th Best)
More on Rowley: Data | Homes For Sale

8. Nahant

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,512
Median Income: $94,243 (31st Best)
Median Home Value: $582,600 (14th Best)
More on Nahant: Data | Homes For Sale

9. South Duxbury

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,338
Median Income: $165,516 (4th Best)
Median Home Value: $788,000 (4th Best)
More on South Duxbury: Data | Homes For Sale

10. Boxford

Boxford, MA

Source: Wikipedia User John Phelan | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,925
Median Income: $222,153 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $696,700 (6th Best)
More on Boxford: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

11. Mattapoisett Center

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,193
Median Income: $83,507 (43rd Best)
Median Home Value: $497,400 (22nd Best)
More on Mattapoisett Center: Data | Homes For Sale

12. Monument Beach

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,173
Median Income: $91,319 (35th Best)
Median Home Value: $376,000 (46th Best)
More on Monument Beach: Data | Homes For Sale

13. Hanson

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 1,880
Median Income: $115,469 (13th Best)
Median Home Value: $350,000 (54th Best)
More on Hanson: Data | Homes For Sale

14. Dover

Dover, MA

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,518
Median Income: $217,284 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $986,000 (3rd Best)
More on Dover: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

15. Topsfield

Topsfield, MA

Source: Wikipedia User John Phelan | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 3,046
Median Income: $139,077 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $621,200 (10th Best)
More on Topsfield: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Massachusetts

We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible. Using the most recent data from the Census's 2016-2020 American Community Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 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)
Best States In America

We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which, there were a lot - 99 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 99, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Massachusetts. Top of that list -- West Falmouth. You can download the data here.

Keep reading to find out more about our top 15 best small towns 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, we 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?

If you're curious, here are the worst small towns in Massachusetts:

  1. Monson Center
  2. Orange
  3. West Wareham

For more Massachusetts reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Best Small Towns In Massachusetts

Rank City Population Median Income Median Home Value
1 West Falmouth, MA 1,836 $129,688.0 $645,200.0
2 Cordaville, MA 2,884 $167,593.0 $614,600.0
3 Williamstown, MA 4,565 $80,000.0 $371,800.0
4 North Falmouth, MA 2,572 $97,407.0 $550,200.0
5 Hopkinton, MA 3,864 $141,713.0 $569,600.0
6 The Pinehills, MA 4,531 $106,964.0 $569,300.0
7 Rowley, MA 1,803 $92,949.0 $471,500.0
8 Nahant, MA 3,512 $94,243.0 $582,600.0
9 South Duxbury, MA 3,338 $165,516.0 $788,000.0
10 Boxford, MA 2,925 $222,153.0 $696,700.0
11 Mattapoisett Center, MA 3,193 $83,507.0 $497,400.0
12 Monument Beach, MA 3,173 $91,319.0 $376,000.0
13 Hanson, MA 1,880 $115,469.0 $350,000.0
14 Dover, MA 2,518 $217,284.0 $986,000.0
15 Topsfield, MA 3,046 $139,077.0 $621,200.0
16 Teaticket, MA 1,608 $68,553.0 $375,500.0
17 Essex, MA 1,697 $126,328.0 $560,100.0
18 Hatfield, MA 1,154 $80,417.0 $362,700.0
19 Millis-Clicquot, MA 4,455 $96,343.0 $380,300.0
20 Duxbury, MA 1,723 $116,250.0 $1,036,300.0
21 Great Barrington, MA 2,213 $43,870.0 $378,000.0
22 North Pembroke, MA 4,159 $141,339.0 $386,200.0
23 East Harwich, MA 4,756 $88,125.0 $460,100.0
24 Falmouth, MA 3,751 $49,253.0 $578,400.0
25 Westborough, MA 4,024 $83,929.0 $413,300.0
26 Weweantic, MA 1,287 $74,866.0 $258,200.0
27 Mashpee Neck, MA 1,403 $129,464.0 $400,000.0
28 West Chatham, MA 1,224 $84,412.0 $638,000.0
29 Marion Center, MA 1,061 $81,563.0 $655,900.0
30 Chatham, MA 1,550 $80,625.0 $1,016,900.0
31 Sagamore, MA 3,792 $96,250.0 $413,000.0
32 North Seekonk, MA 2,158 $96,023.0 $299,300.0
33 Provincetown, MA 2,730 $69,063.0 $720,600.0
34 Ipswich, MA 4,826 $72,452.0 $437,700.0
35 South Deerfield, MA 2,150 $78,594.0 $347,400.0
36 Sandwich, MA 2,928 $96,198.0 $385,700.0
37 Bourne, MA 1,377 $52,500.0 $436,800.0
38 East Sandwich, MA 3,628 $102,258.0 $496,800.0
39 Harwich Center, MA 1,383 $72,530.0 $426,900.0
40 Lee, MA 1,508 $63,250.0 $248,000.0
41 Littleton Common, MA 3,370 $102,667.0 $394,400.0
42 Upton, MA 2,279 $90,673.0 $385,200.0
43 Marshfield Hills, MA 2,389 $157,981.0 $606,300.0
44 Raynham Center, MA 4,561 $110,938.0 $373,400.0
45 Harwich Port, MA 1,906 $62,794.0 $549,000.0
46 Norton Center, MA 2,758 $99,464.0 $342,700.0
47 West Dennis, MA 2,479 $73,913.0 $397,300.0
48 Granby, MA 1,183 $100,833.0 $240,400.0
49 Wilbraham, MA 3,251 $86,477.0 $297,500.0
50 East Douglas, MA 2,985 $75,263.0 $303,800.0
51 Shirley, MA 1,716 $61,797.0 $259,600.0
52 Forestdale, MA 3,744 $89,236.0 $371,500.0
53 Buzzards Bay, MA 3,208 $76,629.0 $323,500.0
54 Sturbridge, MA 2,101 $106,964.0 $293,600.0
55 Lunenburg, MA 1,593 $112,273.0 $272,900.0
56 Vineyard Haven, MA 1,903 $55,037.0 $587,600.0
57 Ayer, MA 2,551 $69,688.0 $311,400.0
58 East Pepperell, MA 1,916 $86,635.0 $324,300.0
59 Hopedale, MA 3,643 $108,611.0 $316,800.0
60 Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock, MA 4,843 $80,000.0 $375,800.0
61 Lenox, MA 1,984 $40,294.0 $279,300.0
62 South Lancaster, MA 1,575 $110,088.0 $324,900.0
63 Rutland, MA 1,749 $74,255.0 $258,700.0
64 East Dennis, MA 3,068 $74,325.0 $491,400.0
65 Dennis, MA 1,962 $93,726.0 $480,500.0
66 North Eastham, MA 1,741 $74,436.0 $544,700.0
67 South Dennis, MA 2,895 $61,971.0 $323,300.0
68 Northwest Harwich, MA 4,123 $78,293.0 $454,700.0
69 Orleans, MA 1,519 $57,176.0 $429,200.0
70 Pocasset, MA 2,596 $60,847.0 $392,900.0
71 East Brookfield, MA 1,273 $72,857.0 $235,600.0
72 Bellingham, MA 4,216 $62,243.0 $283,200.0
73 North Brookfield, MA 2,423 $64,079.0 $209,100.0
74 Devens, MA 2,007 $96,500.0 $329,000.0
75 Brewster, MA 1,347 $52,167.0 $396,100.0
76 Belchertown, MA 3,037 $71,809.0 $261,500.0
77 Groton, MA 1,127 $101,875.0 $384,000.0
78 North Westport, MA 4,787 $68,578.0 $300,800.0
79 Turners Falls, MA 3,682 $38,063.0 $211,100.0
80 Acushnet Center, MA 3,403 $58,075.0 $249,700.0
81 Smith Mills, MA 4,706 $51,797.0 $302,400.0
82 Holland, MA 1,430 $71,547.0 $248,600.0
83 West Brookfield, MA 1,511 $47,098.0 $242,200.0
84 North Lakeville, MA 3,226 $71,447.0 $355,000.0
85 Dennis Port, MA 3,523 $48,085.0 $326,800.0
86 Pepperell, MA 2,685 $81,538.0 $300,000.0
87 Fiskdale, MA 3,015 $72,606.0 $302,300.0
88 White Island Shores, MA 2,409 $92,353.0 $291,100.0
89 Wareham Center, MA 2,631 $40,217.0 $320,000.0
90 Ocean Grove, MA 2,434 $66,985.0 $223,600.0
91 North Plymouth, MA 4,258 $51,875.0 $342,200.0
92 Townsend, MA 1,276 $66,767.0 $250,300.0
93 Winchendon, MA 4,673 $60,908.0 $199,800.0
94 Onset, MA 1,049 $33,614.0 $276,700.0
95 Shelburne Falls, MA 1,659 $45,184.0 $235,600.0
96 Millers Falls, MA 1,158 $54,048.0 $179,200.0
97 West Wareham, MA 2,398 $48,583.0 $167,500.0
98 Orange, MA 3,882 $58,255.0 $159,200.0
99 Monson Center, MA 1,688 $65,398.0 $212,400.0
Download The Entire Massachusetts Ranking Data

This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. This is our ninth time ranking the best small places to live in Massachusetts.

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Small Towns