🏡

Arlington

27 min to Boston
"Not quite Cambridge prices, almost Cambridge schools"
Median Price
$1,011,000
$550/sqft
School Rating
8.5/10
Great
Appreciation
4.1%
per year
Commute
27 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Arlington typically may qualify for high-balance conforming loans, though jumbo financing might be needed depending on exact property price.

Learn about loan thresholds, property condition impact, flood/wind insurance, and how vintage homes (common in many MA towns) affect mortgage approval.

The Vibe

Balanced suburban life without the stuffiness

What It's Really Like

Balanced suburban community with good schools, reasonable prices, and family-friendly atmosphere

Best For

  • Budget-conscious families
  • First-time buyers
  • Balanced lifestyle
  • Value seekers

Avoid If

  • You want luxury
  • You need quick Boston access
  • You hate middle-of-the-road

🌟Highlights

🚌Bus routes to Cambridge and Boston
🏫Solid schools without Lexington prices
🌳Spy Pond and parks everywhere
🍔Underrated restaurant scene

Insider Tips

  • 💡Arlington Heights has best walkability
  • 💡East Arlington closer to Cambridge
  • 💡Town meeting still matters here

Demographics

Population
46,308
Median Age
39.8
Median Income
$169,209

Economic Profile

Remote Work
26.3%
work from home
Professional Workers
74.8%
knowledge economy
Broadband Access
94.0%
digital infrastructure
Median Commute
32 min
to work
Rental Cost Burden
36.7%
pay >30% on rent
Homeownership
60.7%
owner-occupied
Poverty Rate
5.4%
below poverty line
Unemployment
3.6%
of labor force
Median Home Value
$839K
Census estimate
Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship
12
Churches
12
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 17814 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1948
77 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
11.6%
Lower risk
Post-2000 Construction
13.7%
Modern housing stock
Est. Annual Insurance
$2,800
Based on housing age

High Insurance Risk

Arlington has a high concentration of pre-1940 homes (11.6%). Insurance premiums may be significantly higher ($2,800-$4,000+/year) and some carriers may decline coverage. Budget for potential remediation costs (knob-and-tube wiring, asbestos, lead paint).

Insurance Cost Calculator

Estimate your annual homeowners insurance premium

$505,500$1,011,000$2,022,000

Leave blank to use town median (1948)

Annual Premium
$2,800
$233/month
vs. State Average
+39%
MA avg: $2,008/year
Risk Category
VERY HIGH
Based on home age

30-Year Mortgage Impact

$84,000

Total insurance cost over 30-year mortgage (equivalent to 0.3% of home value)

Age Penalty

This home costs $1,189 more per year to insure than a newly built home. Over 30 years, that's $35,670 in additional insurance costs.

Ways to Lower Your Premium

  • Bundle home + auto insurance with same carrier (10-25% discount)
  • Increase deductible from $500 to $2,500 (save 15-30%)
  • Install monitored security system (5-20% discount)
  • Update electrical panel and remove knob-and-tube wiring
  • Replace roof with impact-resistant materials (save 5-15%)
  • Upgrade plumbing to PEX or copper
  • Complete full home inspection and address major issues
  • Consider MAPFRE or Chubb for historic home coverage
  • Shop quotes from 5-6 carriers (rates vary significantly)
  • Ask about claims-free discount (5-year history)

* Estimates based on Massachusetts state averages and typical underwriting criteria. Actual premiums vary by carrier, coverage limits, deductible, claims history, and credit score. For accurate quotes, contact a licensed insurance agent.

Construction Era Distribution

2020+
120 units
2010-2019
980 units
2000-2009
8.1%
1,600 units
1990-1999
9.3%
1,850 units
1980-1989
10.6%
2,100 units
1970-1979
13.1%
2,600 units
1960-1969
14.1%
2,800 units
1950-1959
16.2%
3,200 units
1940-1949
11.4%
2,250 units
Pre-1940
11.6%
2,300 units
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