👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Needham

28 min to Boston
"Family-friendly without the snobbery of Wellesley"
Median Price
$1,588,333
$600/sqft
School Rating
9.1/10
Excellent
Appreciation
4%
per year
Commute
28 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Needham typically require jumbo financing with stricter underwriting, larger down payments (20–25%+), and higher reserve requirements.

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

The Vibe

Welcoming community where kids ride bikes to school

What It's Really Like

Family-friendly suburb with excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and strong community

Best For

  • Growing families
  • School quality
  • Suburban lifestyle
  • Community involvement

Avoid If

  • You want urban amenities
  • You're on a tight budget
  • You hate driving

🌟Highlights

🏫Top 10 schools in state
🏃Charles River trails
🎾Recreation programs everywhere
🚆Commuter rail to Boston

Insider Tips

  • 💡Needham Heights near town center
  • 💡Great value compared to Wellesley
  • 💡Strong sense of community

Demographics

Population
32,091
Median Age
43.9
Median Income
$195,946

Economic Profile

Remote Work
25.4%
work from home
Professional Workers
72.2%
knowledge economy
Broadband Access
94.7%
digital infrastructure
Median Commute
30 min
to work
Rental Cost Burden
49.4%
pay >30% on rent
Homeownership
85.8%
owner-occupied
Poverty Rate
2.7%
below poverty line
Unemployment
5.2%
of labor force
Median Home Value
$1077K
Census estimate
Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship
11
Churches
7
Synagogues
3
Mosques
1
🌟 Multi-faith community with diverse religious traditions(Diversity Score: 78/100)
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 18563 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1960
66 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
8.5%
Lower risk
Post-2000 Construction
21.9%
Modern housing stock
Est. Annual Insurance
$2,200
Based on housing age

Moderate Insurance Risk

Median home built in 1960. 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

$794,167$1,588,333$3,176,666

Leave blank to use town median (1960)

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 0.1% 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
8.1%
980 units
2000-2009
12.8%
1,550 units
1990-1999
14.9%
1,800 units
1980-1989
16.5%
2,000 units
1970-1979
18.2%
2,200 units
1960-1969
16.1%
1,950 units
1950-1959
13.6%
1,650 units
1940-1949
6.8%
820 units
Pre-1940
8.5%
1,025 units
Loading transit information...

Ready to Find Your Perfect Property in Needham?

Get instant property analysis and neighborhood comparisons

Discover Your Perfect Boston Town

Investment Analysis
School Research
Risk Assessment
Market Intelligence

© 2026 Boston Property Navigator. All rights reserved.

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