Brookline 85 Exceptional
Brookline Livability #14 ranked city in Massachusetts#471 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Brookline

PROS
  • Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Schools

    High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living

    Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.

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What's it like Living in Brookline?

Located in the state of Massachusetts, Brookline is a mid-sized city with a population of 59,223 inhabitants. Brookline has a population density of 8,761 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Brookline is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. Brookline is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 50%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Brookline is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 29 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in Brookline can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Massachusetts, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, commute, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Brookline and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Brookline to Massachusetts and the national average.

The livability score in Brookline is 84 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 98th percentile of all cities across America. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Brookline could be a great choice! Brookline has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. Based on the grades for each individual category, Brookline has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A+) and education (A+). There are some categories that Brookline scores poorly for, including: cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Brookline gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 105 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

The unemployment rate in Brookline has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.14%. 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.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Brookline have an average test score of 76%, which is well above the US average.

Assuming that Brookline meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Brookline. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Brookline are simply unattainable. The median home price for Brookline homes is $1,006,200, which is 195.1% higher than the Massachusetts average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Brookline, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 8.9, which is 85.4% higher than the Massachusetts average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Brookline

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Brookline?

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Compare Brookline, MA Livability

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      Brookline transportation information

      Statistic Brookline Massachusetts National
      Average one way commute29min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work30.7%71.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.5%7.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit26.8%9.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle5.3%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk16.2%4.9%2.8%
      Working from home14.8%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Brookline, MA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).