🎨

Somerville

28 min to Boston
"Brooklyn of Boston but cheaper (for now)"
Median Price
$1,050,000
$520/sqft
School Rating
7.5/10
Good
Appreciation
5.2%
per year
Commute
28 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Somerville 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

Hip artists, young families, and excellent Portuguese food

What It's Really Like

Hip, artistic community with emerging neighborhoods, great restaurants, and strong growth potential

Best For

  • Young professionals
  • Artists and creatives
  • First-time buyers
  • Growth investment

Avoid If

  • You need parking
  • You want suburban quiet
  • You hate gentrification

🌟Highlights

🚇Green Line Extension opened recently
🍕Best pizza and brunch scene
🎭Thriving arts and music scene
📈Property values rising fast

Insider Tips

  • 💡Union Square is gentrifying rapidly
  • 💡Davis Square is peak millennial culture
  • 💡Assembly Row is corporate but convenient

Demographics

Population
79,075
Median Age
33.3
Median Income
$148,803

Economic Profile

Remote Work
24.8%
work from home
Professional Workers
68.8%
knowledge economy
Broadband Access
93.1%
digital infrastructure
Median Commute
31 min
to work
Rental Cost Burden
36.1%
pay >30% on rent
Homeownership
33.6%
owner-occupied
Poverty Rate
10.2%
below poverty line
Unemployment
2.8%
of labor force
Median Home Value
$861K
Census estimate
Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship
17
Churches
15
Synagogues
2
🌟 Multi-faith community with diverse religious traditions(Diversity Score: 33/100)
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 18524 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1920
105 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
8.9%
Lower risk
Post-2000 Construction
18.6%
Modern housing stock
Est. Annual Insurance
$3,500
Based on housing age

High Insurance Risk

Somerville has a high concentration of pre-1940 homes (8.9%). 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

$525,000$1,050,000$2,100,000

Leave blank to use town median (1920)

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 0.3% 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+
350 units
2010-2019
6.6%
2,350 units
2000-2009
11%
3,900 units
1990-1999
12.7%
4,500 units
1980-1989
14.1%
5,000 units
1970-1979
16.1%
5,700 units
1960-1969
17.5%
6,200 units
1950-1959
15.5%
5,500 units
1940-1949
10.8%
3,850 units
Pre-1940
8.9%
3,150 units
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