Dedham 84 Exceptional
Dedham Livability #17 ranked city in Massachusetts#521 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Dedham

PROS
  • Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

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What's it like Living in Dedham?

Dedham, Massachusetts is a mid-sized city with a population of 25,330 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (85% White). Given that fact, Dedham could be considered less diverse than other cities. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Dedham entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 33 minutes.

Living in Dedham can be a good experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Massachusetts, there are many amazing 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Dedham, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, commute, employment, housing and more.

Dedham, MA receives 84/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #18 in Massachusetts and #472 in the USA. Based on this score, Dedham would be considered a very livable city! Dedham also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Dedham ranks well for crime (A+), education (B+) and housing (A-). Dedham does not rank well for the following: cost of living (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find 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. Dedham gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 186 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Dedham has an unemployment rate of 2.56% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Dedham apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Dedham real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Dedham. The median home price for Dedham homes is $482,500, which is 41.5% higher than the Massachusetts average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Dedham, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.7, which is 2.1% lower than the Massachusetts average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Dedham

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Dedham?

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Compare Dedham, MA Livability

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      Dedham transportation information

      Statistic Dedham Massachusetts National
      Average one way commute33min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work71.7%71.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.5%7.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit9.6%9.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.3%4.9%2.8%
      Working from home6.7%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Dedham, MA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).