Dedham 82 Exceptional
Dedham Livability #24 ranked city in Massachusetts#1,005 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Dedham

PROS
  • Commute Commute

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

  • 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.

  • Health & Safety 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.

  • 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.

CONS
  • 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 Dedham?

Located in the state of Massachusetts, Dedham is a moderately-sized city with a population of 26,137 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 85% of Dedham residents are White, 8% Black and 3% Asian. Something to be aware of when living in Dedham are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 33 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Dedham, 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. With useful information like amenities, crime, commute, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Dedham and in the areas around Dedham is a much easier task.

Using data and statistics Dedham has received a livability score of 84 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 98th percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Dedham is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Dedham has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Dedham has higher than average scores for the following: crime (A+), education (B+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Dedham. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: cost of living (F).

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 Dedham 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.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Dedham is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Dedham come in at $857,762, which is 37.4% higher than the Massachusetts average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Dedham, 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 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) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.