How many towns and neighborhoods are included?

We cover 115 Greater Boston communities: 93 independent towns plus 22 Boston neighborhoods. Each has a detailed profile with school ratings, median home prices, commute times, and community character insights.

How do you rate schools?

School ratings (1-10 scale) combine multiple factors: public high school SAT/MCAS scores, college enrollment rates, student-teacher ratios, and GreatSchools data. We also note private school availability for families considering independent education.

What's the difference between towns and Boston neighborhoods?

Towns are independent municipalities with their own governments and school districts (e.g., Newton, Brookline, Lexington). Boston neighborhoods are districts within the city of Boston proper (e.g., Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Jamaica Plain) that share Boston Public Schools.

Can I filter by price range?

Yes. Use the price filter to see communities under $1M, $1M-$2M, or over $2M median home price. You can also sort by lowest/highest price to find the most affordable or prestigious options.

How are median home prices calculated?

Median prices represent the middle point of recent single-family home sales in each community, typically based on 12-24 months of transaction data. Prices are updated quarterly and exclude condos, multi-family, and luxury outliers to reflect typical buyer experience.

Boston Property Navigator

Find Your Perfect Town

BPN

Chat

🏭

Danvers

35 min to Boston

"Historic North Shore value—Route 1 corridor access with affordable family living"

Median Price

$625,000

$245/sqft

School Rating

7.3/10

Good

Appreciation

2.5%

per year

Commute

35 min

to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Danvers typically typically qualify for conforming loans with more flexible underwriting standards.

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

✨The Vibe

North Shore working-class community transformed by Route 1 corridor growth—mix of historic colonial charm and practical modern living with strong community values

What It's Really Like

Danvers balances North Shore history (originally Salem Village, site of 1692 witch trials) with practical Route 1 corridor living. Median $625K pricing makes it one of the most affordable North Shore towns, with strong community character and reasonable schools. Trade-offs include car dependency, Route 1 traffic, and lower appreciation rates than premium suburbs. But for families who want North Shore access without Beverly/Peabody pricing, it offers compelling value.

Best For

✓Route 1 corridor workers (Liberty Tree Mall, hotels, retail)
✓First-time buyers seeking North Shore affordability
✓Families prioritizing community over prestige
✓Budget-conscious buyers who want proximity to Beverly/Peabody
✓People who value historical character (Salem Village, 1692 witch trials site)

Avoid If

✗You need elite schools (7.3/10 is solid but not exceptional)
✗You want walkable urbanism (car-dependent Route 1 sprawl)
✗You prioritize rapid appreciation (steady 2-3% annually)
✗You need MBTA rapid transit (commuter rail only)

🌟Highlights

💰$625K median—most affordable North Shore option

📚7.3/10 school rating (solid, improving)

🚗Route 1 corridor access to jobs and amenities

🏛️Rich historical heritage (Salem Village)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Strong family community with local festivals

📈Steady 2-3% annual appreciation

🏥Proximity to Beverly/Peabody medical facilities

🛍️Liberty Tree Mall and retail corridor access

Insider Tips

💡Route 1 traffic can be brutal during peak hours—factor commute time carefully
💡Liberty Tree Mall area offers best shopping/restaurant access in town
💡Historic downtown Danvers Square has character but limited retail
💡West Danvers area has larger lots but higher prices
💡School system is improving—check recent MCAS trends vs. historical
💡Property tax rate is moderate for North Shore ($12-13 per $1K)
💡Many homes are older (1950s-70s)—budget for updates
💡Commuter rail access via Beverly depot (5 min drive)
💡Growing diversity (particularly Brazilian and Portuguese communities)
💡Check flood zones—some areas near Crane River/floodplain

Demographics

Population

28,000

Median Age

Median Income

$95,000-$105,000

Economic Profile

Remote Work

17.4%

work from home

Professional Workers

52.5%

knowledge economy

Broadband Access

93.7%

digital infrastructure

Median Commute

28 min

to work

Rental Cost Burden

47.3%

pay >30% on rent

Homeownership

70.1%

owner-occupied

Poverty Rate

4.3%

below poverty line

Unemployment

4.9%

of labor force

Median Home Value

$590K

Census estimate

Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship

Churches

Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 1672• 4 established before 1900

Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built

1962

63 years old

Pre-1940 Construction

4.9%

Lower risk

Post-2000 Construction

20.7%

Modern housing stock

Est. Annual Insurance

$2,200

Based on housing age

Moderate Insurance Risk

Median home built in 1962. Insurance premiums estimated at $2,200/year. Some older homes may require system updates (electrical, plumbing, HVAC).

Insurance Cost Calculator

Estimate your annual homeowners insurance premium

Home Value

$312,500$625,000$1,250,000

Year Built (Optional)

Leave blank to use town median (1962)

Annual Premium

$2,200

$183/month

vs. State Average

+10%

MA avg: $2,008/year

Risk Category

HIGH

Based on home age

30-Year Mortgage Impact

$66,000

Total insurance cost over 30-year mortgage (equivalent to 0.4% of home value)

Age Penalty

This home costs $589 more per year to insure than a newly built home. Over 30 years, that's $17,670 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

* 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+

125 units

2010-2019

7.8%

920 units

2000-2009

12.7%

1,500 units

1990-1999

14.8%

1,750 units

1980-1989

16.1%

1,900 units

1970-1979

17.4%

2,050 units

1960-1969

15.7%

1,850 units

1950-1959

12.3%

1,450 units

1940-1949

5.8%

680 units

Pre-1940

575 units

Loading transit information...

Resources & Research

School Information

Boston Area School Rankings →

Compare 48 high schools by SAT scores, MCAS proficiency & college enrollment

Market Analysis

Rent vs Buy Analysis 2025 →

Break-even math, SALT cap impacts & decision framework for Boston buyers

Insurance & Risk

MA Insurance Crisis Guide →

Why coastal & historic homes face coverage denials (+ FAIR Plan rules)

Home Buying Terms

Real Estate Glossary →

200+ terms explained: ARM, DTI, PMI, escrow, cap rate & more

View All Market Guides & Analysis →

Similar Neighborhoods

🏡

Arlington

$1,011,000

"Not quite Cambridge prices, almost Cambridge schools"

🌊

Watertown

$805,000

"Armenian food paradise that's secretly convenient to everything"

🍝

Medford

$823,500

"Italian grandmas and Tufts students living in harmony"

Ready to Find Your Perfect Property in Danvers?

Get instant property analysis and neighborhood comparisons

Discover Your Perfect Boston Town

Investment Analysis

School Research

Risk Assessment

Market Intelligence

Terms|Privacy|Disclaimers|Town Vibes|Contact

For informational purposes only. Not professional real estate, financial, or legal advice.