🚆

Norwood

33 min to Boston
"South suburban value with surprising commuter rail access"
Median Price
$675,000
$395/sqft
School Rating
7/10
Good
Appreciation
3.7%
per year
Commute
33 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Norwood 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

Working-class South Shore town with commuter rail, Route 1 retail corridor, and solid family neighborhoods. Affordable alternative to Dedham/Westwood with good bones.

What It's Really Like

Norwood is honest blue-collar suburbia—commuter rail access, decent schools, affordable housing, and the kind of neighborhood where people actually talk to each other.

Best For

  • First-time buyers seeking value
  • Commuter rail users
  • Families prioritizing affordability
  • Those who value diversity

Avoid If

  • You need top schools
  • You want prestige or luxury
  • You prefer walkable downtown areas

🌟Highlights

🚆Commuter rail to South Station
💰Affordable at $675K median
🛍️Route 1 shopping corridor
🏡Family-friendly neighborhoods

Insider Tips

  • 💡Commuter rail makes this a great value play
  • 💡Norwood Airport brings some jobs locally
  • 💡Diverse population with growing Latino community

Demographics

Population
31,000
Median Age
40
Median Income
$95,000

Economic Profile

Remote Work
12.7%
work from home
Professional Workers
53.9%
knowledge economy
Broadband Access
92.6%
digital infrastructure
Median Commute
32 min
to work
Rental Cost Burden
47.5%
pay >30% on rent
Homeownership
51.4%
owner-occupied
Poverty Rate
7.6%
below poverty line
Unemployment
3.6%
of labor force
Median Home Value
$588K
Census estimate
Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship
8
Churches
8
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 17363 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1948
77 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
5.6%
Lower risk
Post-2000 Construction
19%
Modern housing stock
Est. Annual Insurance
$2,800
Based on housing age

High Insurance Risk

Norwood has a high concentration of pre-1940 homes (5.6%). 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

$337,500$675,000$1,350,000

Leave blank to use town median (1948)

Annual Premium
$2,800
$233/month
vs. State Average
+39%
MA avg: $2,008/year
Risk Category
VERY HIGH
Based on home age

30-Year Mortgage Impact

$84,000

Total insurance cost over 30-year mortgage (equivalent to 0.4% of home value)

Age Penalty

This home costs $1,189 more per year to insure than a newly built home. Over 30 years, that's $35,670 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
  • 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+
105 units
2010-2019
6.9%
880 units
2000-2009
11.3%
1,450 units
1990-1999
13.3%
1,700 units
1980-1989
14.8%
1,900 units
1970-1979
16.8%
2,150 units
1960-1969
15.6%
2,000 units
1950-1959
13.7%
1,750 units
1940-1949
9%
1,150 units
Pre-1940
5.6%
715 units
Loading transit information...

Ready to Find Your Perfect Property in Norwood?

Get instant property analysis and neighborhood comparisons

Discover Your Perfect Boston Town

Investment Analysis
School Research
Risk Assessment
Market Intelligence

© 2025 Boston Property Navigator. All rights reserved.

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