Dover 73 Excellent
Dover Livability #93 ranked city in Massachusetts#4,848 ranked city in the USARanks better than 83% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Dover

PROS
  • Crime 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 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 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.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Cost Of Living 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.

What's it like Living in Dover?

Dover, Massachusetts is a small-sized city with a population of 2,612 residents. The majority of Dover residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. If you are looking for a family friendly city, Dover might be a good fit as 74% of the population over 15 years old are married, and 49% have kids who are 18 years old or younger. 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 Dover offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 34 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Dover, Massachusetts could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Finding the best places to live in Dover and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, employment and other important metrics.

Dover has a livability score of 75 out of 100 and is ranked #76 in Massachusetts and #3,699 in the USA. This is a great score, as Dover ranks well in multiple categories! There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Dover ranks well for crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (A+) The bad news for Dover, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

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. Dover gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 151 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Dover schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 85%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Dover an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Dover market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Dover. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Dover are affordable. Median real estate prices in Dover come in at $1,794,924, which is 187.5% higher than the Massachusetts average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Dover, the home price to income ratio is 5.6, which is 5.1% lower than the Massachusetts average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Dover

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Dover?

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      Dover transportation information

      Statistic Dover Massachusetts National
      Average one way commute34min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work66.8%71.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.0%7.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit7.8%9.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.7%4.9%2.8%
      Working from home14.5%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Dover, MA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.