🍝

Medford

27 min to Boston
"Italian grandmas and Tufts students living in harmony"
Median Price
$823,500
$495/sqft
School Rating
7.8/10
Good
Appreciation
4.8%
per year
Commute
27 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Medford 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

Working-class Italian heritage meets college town energy

What It's Really Like

Working-class community with strong Italian heritage, affordable housing, and growth potential

Best For

  • Budget buyers
  • First-time homeowners
  • Investment properties
  • Community feel

Avoid If

  • You want walkability
  • You need top schools now
  • You hate car dependency

🌟Highlights

🎓Tufts University here
🚇Green Line Extension coming
🍝Authentic Italian restaurants
💰Most affordable inner suburb

Insider Tips

  • 💡West Medford near Tufts is priciest
  • 💡Square near Wellington is improving
  • 💡Schools improving with young families moving in

Demographics

Population
59,092
Median Age
38.1
Median Income
$148,372

Economic Profile

Remote Work
18.5%
work from home
Professional Workers
56.3%
knowledge economy
Broadband Access
92.3%
digital infrastructure
Median Commute
31 min
to work
Rental Cost Burden
37.0%
pay >30% on rent
Homeownership
53.3%
owner-occupied
Poverty Rate
7.4%
below poverty line
Unemployment
4.2%
of labor force
Median Home Value
$670K
Census estimate
Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship
15
Churches
14
Synagogues
1
🌟 Multi-faith community with diverse religious traditions(Diversity Score: 22/100)
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 18247 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1939
86 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
3.5%
Lower risk
Post-2000 Construction
18.3%
Modern housing stock
Est. Annual Insurance
$3,500
Based on housing age

High Insurance Risk

Medford has a high concentration of pre-1940 homes (3.5%). 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

$411,750$823,500$1,647,000

Leave blank to use town median (1939)

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 0.4% 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+
220 units
2010-2019
6.5%
1,650 units
2000-2009
11%
2,800 units
1990-1999
12.5%
3,200 units
1980-1989
14.1%
3,600 units
1970-1979
16.3%
4,150 units
1960-1969
17.5%
4,450 units
1950-1959
14.9%
3,800 units
1940-1949
10.8%
2,750 units
Pre-1940
880 units
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