BPN

🛍️

Dedham

29 min to Boston
"Where Route 1 meets Legacy Place and families find value"
Median Price
$746,000
$420/sqft
School Rating
7.2/10
Good
Appreciation
4.4%
per year
Commute
29 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Dedham 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

Traditional suburban town with shopping amenities and family-friendly character

What It's Really Like

Dedham is suburban practicality done right—Legacy Place shopping, good schools, real neighborhoods, and you're not breaking the bank like Newton next door.

Best For

  • ✓Families wanting southwest suburbs affordably
  • ✓Commuters needing Route 1/128 access
  • ✓Those who value shopping and dining options
  • ✓Value seekers wanting solid schools

Avoid If

  • ✗You need T access (none)
  • ✗You want urban walkability
  • ✗You're seeking prestige or status

🌟Highlights

🛍️Legacy Place upscale shopping and dining
🚗Route 1 and I-95/128 highway access
🏫Solid public schools (7.2/10)
💰Better value than Newton, similar access

Insider Tips

  • 💡Riverdale and Greenlodge neighborhoods are most sought-after
  • 💡Legacy Place brings weekend crowds and traffic
  • 💡Historic Dedham Square has New England charm

Demographics

Population
25,209
Median Age
43.0
Median Income
$151,045

Economic Profile

Remote Work
15.6%
work from home
Professional Workers
53.4%
knowledge economy
Broadband Access
90.4%
digital infrastructure
Median Commute
31 min
to work
Rental Cost Burden
51.2%
pay >30% on rent
Homeownership
70.5%
owner-occupied
Poverty Rate
4.1%
below poverty line
Unemployment
3.9%
of labor force
Median Home Value
$602K
Census estimate
Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship
7
Churches
7
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 1638• 5 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1952
73 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
4.9%
Lower risk
Post-2000 Construction
20.6%
Modern housing stock
Est. Annual Insurance
$2,505
Based on housing age

Moderate Insurance Risk

Median home built in 1952. Insurance premiums estimated at $2,505/year. Some older homes may require system updates (electrical, plumbing, HVAC).

Insurance Cost Calculator

Estimate your annual homeowners insurance premium

$373,000$746,000$1,492,000

Leave blank to use town median (1952)

Annual Premium
$2,505
$209/month
vs. State Average
+25%
MA avg: $2,008/year
Risk Category
HIGH
Based on home age

30-Year Mortgage Impact

$75,150

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

Age Penalty

This home costs $894 more per year to insure than a newly built home. Over 30 years, that's $26,820 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+
100 units
2010-2019
7.2%
780 units
2000-2009
12.5%
1,350 units
1990-1999
14.4%
1,550 units
1980-1989
15.7%
1,700 units
1970-1979
17.1%
1,850 units
1960-1969
15.3%
1,650 units
1950-1959
13.1%
1,420 units
1940-1949
8.1%
870 units
Pre-1940
530 units
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Resources & Research

School Information

Boston Area School Rankings →

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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

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🚇

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🎨

Somerville

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