Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Needham, MA

    Is Needham a good place to live?

    Watch Needham

    Needham ranks #9 of 64 Massachusetts cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (67/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.3% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $1,146,000
    +6.4% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $2,412
    per month
    Household income
    $212,241
    median
    Unemployment
    4.5%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Needham

    The median home value in Needham is $1,146,000 and median rent is $2,412 a month, against a median household income of $212,241. Homes cost about 5.4× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Needham crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Massachusetts the 2025 rate was 301 violent and 1,036 property crimes per 100,000 people — #42 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Needham, MA

    Needham has about 32,059 residents, 4.5% unemployment and 30% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Needham with

    Needham vs BostonNeedham vs WorcesterNeedham vs SpringfieldNeedham vs CambridgeNeedham vs LowellNeedham vs BrocktonNeedham vs QuincyNeedham vs Lynn

    More: Where to move in Massachusetts · Best counties in Massachusetts

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report