๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ

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 (20โ€“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.

โœจThe 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

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

Avoid If

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

๐ŸŒŸHighlights

๐ŸซTop 10 schools in state
๐ŸƒCharles River trails
๐ŸŽพRecreation programs everywhere
๐Ÿš†Commuter rail to Boston

Insider Tips

  • ๐Ÿ’กNeedham Heights near town center
  • ๐Ÿ’กGreat value compared to Wellesley
  • ๐Ÿ’กStrong sense of community

Demographics

Population
24,179
Median Age
44
Median Income
$264,622

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
๐ŸŒŸ Multi-faith community with diverse religious traditions(Diversity Score: 78/100)
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 1856โ€ข 3 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1960
65 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
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