BPN

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Malden

34 min to Boston
"Orange Line diversity with urban grit and good bones"
Median Price
$705,000
$425/sqft
School Rating
5.8/10
Good
Appreciation
4.8%
per year
Commute
34 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Malden 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

Diverse, urban, scrappy city with strong immigrant communities and improving downtown

What It's Really Like

Working-class city that's more affordable than Somerville with better T access than Lynn. Malden Center is gentrifying fast, and you're minutes from Boston.

Best For

  • ✓First-time buyers wanting Orange Line access under $650K
  • ✓Families valuing diversity and community
  • ✓Investors betting on gentrification
  • ✓Commuters who love the T

Avoid If

  • ✗You need top-rated schools immediately
  • ✗You want suburban quiet and space
  • ✗You're not comfortable with urban density

🌟Highlights

🚇Orange Line brings you to downtown Boston in 15 minutes
🌏Incredibly diverse with thriving immigrant communities
💰Affordable alternative to Cambridge/Somerville
📈Malden Center redevelopment driving growth

Insider Tips

  • 💡Malden Center is where the action is—cafes and new development
  • 💡Oak Grove area near the T is quiet and residential
  • 💡Property values rising faster than most realize

Demographics

Population
65,096
Median Age
36.7
Median Income
$115,603

Economic Profile

Remote Work
15.1%
work from home
Professional Workers
50.1%
knowledge economy
Broadband Access
91.2%
digital infrastructure
Median Commute
37 min
to work
Rental Cost Burden
48.8%
pay >30% on rent
Homeownership
42.6%
owner-occupied
Poverty Rate
13.5%
below poverty line
Unemployment
6.6%
of labor force
Median Home Value
$571K
Census estimate
Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship
13
Churches
11
Synagogues
1
Mosques
1
🌟 Multi-faith community with diverse religious traditions(Diversity Score: 49/100)
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 1648• 6 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1932
93 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
1.6%
Lower risk
Post-2000 Construction
17.8%
Modern housing stock
Est. Annual Insurance
$3,500
Based on housing age

High Insurance Risk

Malden has a high concentration of pre-1940 homes (1.6%). 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

$352,500$705,000$1,410,000

Leave blank to use town median (1932)

Annual Premium
$3,325
$277/month
vs. State Average
+66%
MA avg: $2,008/year
Risk Category
VERY HIGH
Based on home age

30-Year Mortgage Impact

$99,750

Total insurance cost over 30-year mortgage (equivalent to 0.5% of home value)

Age Penalty

This home costs $1,714 more per year to insure than a newly built home. Over 30 years, that's $51,420 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+
250 units
2010-2019
6.4%
1,750 units
2000-2009
10.7%
2,950 units
1990-1999
12.4%
3,400 units
1980-1989
13.8%
3,800 units
1970-1979
15.8%
4,350 units
1960-1969
17.1%
4,700 units
1950-1959
14.9%
4,100 units
1940-1949
10%
2,750 units
Pre-1940
450 units
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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

🎓

Cambridge

$1,039,750

"Where MIT nerds and Harvard snobs reluctantly share coffee shops"

🚇

Brookline

$1,025,000

"Brooklyn of Boston but you'll pay Manhattan prices"

🎨

Somerville

$1,050,000

"Brooklyn of Boston but cheaper (for now)"

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