Living in Somerville, MA offers a vibrant urban lifestyle with a strong sense of community and cultural diversity. Located just north of Boston, Somerville is known for its innovative spirit, artistic flair, and dynamic neighborhoods. The city’s commitment to arts and culture is evident in its many galleries, theaters, and public art installations, making it a hub of creativity in the Greater Boston area.
Somerville’s dining scene is eclectic and exciting, offering a range of options from ethnic eateries to farm-to-table restaurants. The city’s Davis Square is a popular destination, featuring a mix of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The annual Somerville Arts Council’s ArtBeat festival is a highlight of the year, celebrating the city’s creative community with performances, art displays, and interactive activities.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Somerville provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Prospect Hill Park and the Somerville Community Path, offer scenic spots for walking, biking, and enjoying the outdoors. The nearby Mystic River provides additional opportunities for boating, fishing, and exploring the natural beauty of the area.
Somerville is also known for its strong sense of community and progressive values. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the HONK! Festival of Activist Street Bands and the Fluff Festival, which bring residents together to celebrate and engage with their community. The local schools and educational institutions, including Tufts University, make Somerville an attractive place for families and students alike.
For those considering a move to Massachusetts, Somerville offers a unique blend of urban energy, cultural vibrancy, and community spirit. Whether you're drawn by its creative atmosphere, outdoor activities, or proximity to Boston, living in Somerville, MA provides a fulfilling and dynamic lifestyle.
Amenities
Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Cost Of Living
This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.
Somerville, Massachusetts is a mid-sized city with a population of 81,175 inhabitants. With a population density of 19,685 people per square mile, Somerville is well above the nation's average density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (76% White). Given that fact, Somerville could be considered less diverse than other cities. Somerville tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 32 is far below the national average. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Somerville, only 35% of the population is married. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Somerville offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 32 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Somerville, Massachusetts. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Somerville, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety and more.
Somerville has a livability score of 85/100 and is ranked #14 in Massachusetts and #373 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Somerville could be a great choice! The cherry on top is that Somerville also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. Based on the scores for each individual category, Somerville has received high marks for crime (A-) and education (B). Somerville does not fare well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
If you're considering living in Somerville, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Somerville provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area.
The unemployment rate in Somerville has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.41%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Somerville is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Somerville come in at $709,800, which is 108.2% higher than the Massachusetts average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Somerville, the home price to income ratio is 6.9, which is 43.8% higher than the Massachusetts average.
| Statistic | Somerville | Massachusetts | National |
| Average one way commute | 32min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 34.1% | 71.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 4.9% | 7.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 29.5% | 9.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 6.6% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 10.7% | 4.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 12.7% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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