Boston, best known as Greater Boston, is the largest city in Massachusetts and part of the Commonwealth. The official motto of Boston is “As God was with our fathers, so may He be with us.” The population in the Boston metro area is 4.9 million. While living in a big city can be fun and exciting, it’s also nice to escape the hustle of everyday life. Here’s a list of the best cities in Boston and what makes them unique!
Largest Cities Near Boston Massachusetts
The population in Boston is 654,281, and the population density is 13,534.9 people per square mile. Home to the Boston Marathon and Fenway Park, Boston is known for its rich art scene and diversity. A few top attractions within Boston, MA, include the Boston Common, a popular local park that’s perfect for families, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, New England Aquarium, Public Garden, a public park with beautiful views, and the Boston National Historical Park, with 43-acres to explore and historical facts about the city of Boston. All of these places are highly recommended and searched attractions.
If you’re looking to move to a family-friendly, safe, and affordable city within 47 miles of Boston, here are the best surrounding cities of Boston!
Cambridge | 4 miles from Boston
- Cambridge Square Miles: 6.4
- Cambridge County: Middlesex
- Cambridge Median Household Income: $104,746, which is above the state average of $89,645
- Cambridge Median Home Price: $1,345,000
- Cambridge Homes For Sale
- Crime Rate: The total crime rate is 2,119 per 100k people, which is 9.7% lower than the national average, making Cambridge a safe and family-friendly community.
If you’re looking for a beautiful city near Boston, consider moving to Cambridge, MA. The population in Cambridge is 117,097, and the population density is 18,306.5 people per square mile.
Some of the most popular things to do in Cambridge include Harvard Square, Cambridge Common, and the Fresh Pond Reservation. The reason why these are popular places is that they are perfect for people of all ages – whether you go by yourself or with your family.
When it comes to the best Cambridge restaurants, you want to make sure to try Alden & Harlow, Giulia, and the Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar. These mouth watering eateries are highly searched for and recommended by locals.
While most people think of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) when they think of Cambridge, this beautiful city is known for being a diverse and historical Massachusetts community.
Somerville | 5 miles from Boston
- Somerville Square Miles: 4.1
- Somerville County: Middlesex
- Somerville Median Household Income: $107,651, which is above the state average of $89,645
- Somerville Median Home Price: $845,000
- Somerville Homes For Sale
- Crime Rate: The total crime rate in Somerville, MA, is 1,372 per 100k people, which is 41.5% lower than the national average.
Somerville has a wide variety of artists and ethnic diversity that makes this place a unique yet wonderful place to call home. The population in Somerville is 79,819, and the population density is 19,356 people per square mile.
If you’re looking for family-friendly attractions in Somerville, consider checking out the most popular options: LEGOLAND Discovery Center, the Somerville Museum, Powderhouse Park, the Sylvester Baxter Riverfront Park, and the Nathan Tufts Park. You’ll find we’ve included a variety of educational and fun places that are perfect for all ages.
When it comes to safety, Somerville is a very safe place to call home and has a low crime rate, and is great for young adults and families.
Medford | 6 miles from Boston
- Medford Square Miles: 8.1
- Medford County: Middlesex
- Medford Median Household Income: $107,853, which is above the state average of $89,645
- Medford Median Home Price: $681,000
- Medford MA Homes For Sale
- Crime Rate: The total crime rate is 1,066 per 100k people, which is 54.6% lower than the national average.
The population in Medford is 60,708, and the population density is 7,495.8 people per square mile. Medford, MA, is a great place to settle down and raise a family. The low crime rate makes Medford a safe city.
If you’re trying to find some fun things to do after work or on the weekend, you should check out the Mystic Lakes State Park, Wright’s Tower, because it’s known for being a scenic location, and Chevalier Theatre to experience the local performing arts.
When it comes to the top-rated restaurants in Medford, some of the most searched restaurants on Google for Medford are Bocelli’s, Yoki Japanese Restaurant & Bar, and Paul Revere Restaurant.
Medford is known for being an affluent city and suburb that’s northwest of Boston. Living in Medford is one of the best decisions you could make, whether you’re a young adult, family, or retiree.
Watertown | 10 miles from Boston
- Watertown Square Miles: 4
- Watertown County: Middlesex
- Watertown Median Household Income: $101,402, which is above the state average of $89,645
- Watertown Median Home Price: $1,025,000
- Watertown Homes For Sale
- Crime Rate: The total crime rate in Watertown is 785 per 100k people, which is 66.5% LOWER than the national average!
What’s known for being one of the first settlements in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Watertown is a walkable city. The population in Watertown is 35,171, and the population density is 8,801.1 people per square mile.
Watertown, MA, has some of the best restaurants in the area. Whether you’re looking for a new place to try, go on a date, or spend time as a family, check out some of these Watertown restaurants: La Bodega, a unique space with delicious food and craft cocktails, Branch Line, located in a historic building and has an outside bocce court, and the Red Lentil Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant (ranked in the top 100 restaurants in Massachusetts).
If you’re looking for an urban and suburban mix, then Watertown is the perfect place for you!
Worcester | 47 miles from Boston
- Worcester Square Miles: 37.4
- Worcester County: Worcester
- Worcester Median Household Income: $63,194, which is below the state average of $89,645
- Worcester Median Home Price: $375,000
- Worcester Homes For Sale
- Crime Rate: The total crime rate is 2,631 per 100k people, which is 12.1% higher than the national average. While it might be on the higher side, there are still plenty of safe neighborhoods in Worcester to call home.
While Worcester is a little farther away from Boston, we wanted to include it because of the population size. If you’re trying to find a city that is bigger in size but smaller than Boston, Worcester has a decent amount of residents.
The population of Worcester is 205,917, and the population density is 5,511.7 people per square mile. Living in Worcester, MA is a great choice for those looking for an affordable city that’s close enough to travel to Boston for work or to explore. If you love art, you need to check out the Worcester Art Museum; the museum is home to Gothic and European artwork, along with a wide variety of contemporary pieces.
Known for its beautiful architecture, Victorian and triple decker homes, and great education, Worcester is a wonderful place to settle down and raise a family!
Other Cities In Boston
Living in a big city or a remote town isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay because there are plenty of other safe, family-friendly, and affordable cities and towns near Boston that will meet your needs.
Here’s a list of the top cities near Boston with a minimum of 20,000 people and a maximum of 50,000. Plus, if you need to commute to Boston for work, all of them are 40 miles or less from the heart of Boston, MA.
Towns & Cities Near Boston
| Towns & Cities Near Boston (20,000 to 49,999 Population) | County | Population (2020) | Distance From Boston |
| Everett | Middlesex | 48,368 | 6 miles away from Boston |
| Arlington | Middlesex | 46,045 | 9 miles away from Boston |
| Salem | Essex | 44,452 | 22 miles away from Boston |
| Beverly | Essex | 43,448 | 23 miles away from Boston |
| Attleboro | Bristol | 46,146 | 40 miles away from Boston |
There are so many great cities near Boston and these are just a few of them. But we want to highlight one specific city because of it being a very safe and kid-friendly community. Arlington is an extremely safe and family-friendly city, with the total crime rate being 358 per 100k people, which is 84.7% lower than the national average.
When it comes to the other cities and towns, there aren’t too many that have the population range of 20,000 and 49,999 and is within 40 miles. There are more cities nearby, which we will discuss later, but they have a smaller population.
Map Of Cities Near Boston And Surrounding Area
Explore this map of the cities close to Boston and any other Boston surrounding cities!
Small Cities & Towns Near Boston Massachusetts
Are you trying to find a small town without being too far away from the big city? Here’s a list of nearby Boston cities with a population of fewer than 20,000 residents and 45 miles or less than the heart of Boston, MA. Our list is perfect for those wanting to drive to Boston and not be stuck in the car for hours.
| City/Town/Village (0-19,999 Population) | County | Population (2020) | Distance From Boston (miles) |
| Swampscott | Essex | 15,043 | 14 miles away from Boston |
| Dover | Norfolk | 2,413 | 20 miles away from Boston |
| Hull | Plymouth | 10,120 | 24 miles away from Boston |
| Essex | Essex | 1,688 | 33 miles away from Boston |
| Duxbury | Plymouth | 1,586 | 35 miles away from Boston |
| Amesbury Town | Essex | 17,286 | 40 miles away from Boston |
| Hudson | Middlesex | 15,445 | 41 miles away from Boston |
| Groton | Middlesex | 1,295 | 42 miles away from Boston |
Major Cities Near Boston
As one of the largest cities in Massachusetts, what are some of the other largest cities nearby? Here’s a list of the closest cities to Boston that are the largest – the farthest city is 339 miles away. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, going away with a partner, or needing a quick getaway, there are plenty of fun places to explore nearby.
Major Cities Near Boston, Massachusetts
| Cities | Population (2020) | Distance From Boston, MA |
| Manchester, NH | 115,470 | 53 miles away from Boston |
| Providence, RI | 189,697 | 65 miles away from Boston |
| Springfield, MA | 154,788 | 92 miles away from Boston |
| Hartford, CT | 120,593 | 102 miles away from Boston |
| New Haven, CT | 135,076 | 138 miles away from Boston |
| Albany, NY | 98,624 | 170 miles away from Boston |
| New York, NY | 8,467,513 | 215 miles away from Boston |
| Philadelphia, PA | 1,576,251 | 307 miles away from Boston |
| Allentown, PA | 125,934 | 313 miles away from Boston |
| Wilmington, DE | 70,750 | 339 miles away from Boston |
Boston Area Cities FAQ
What major cities are near Boston?
The major cities near Boston include:
- Manchester, NH = 53 miles away from Boston
- Providence, RI = 65 miles away from Boston
- Springfield, MA = 92 miles away from Boston
- Hartford, CT = 102 miles away from Boston
- New Haven, CT = 138 miles away from Boston
- Albany, NY = 170 miles away from Boston
- New York, NY = 215 miles away from Boston
- Philadelphia, PA = 307 miles away from Boston
- Allentown, PA = 313 miles away from Boston
- Wilmington, DE = 339 miles away from Boston
What are the closest cities to Boston?
The closest cities to Boston are the following:
- Cambridge
- Somerville
- Medford
- Watertown
- Worcester
- Everett
- Attleboro
- Arlington
- Salem
- Beverly
What is the closest city to Boston?
The closest city to Boston is Cambridge, which is 4 miles away from the center of the city.
Boston is an artistic, family-friendly, safe, and diverse community that is perfect for young adults, families, and retirees. Whether you’re looking to move to Boston or to one of the surrounding cities of Boston, there are plenty of great places to settle down. Mass Bay Movers is a hard-working, trustworthy, reliable, diligent, and professional team of Boston Movers. Call us today at (978) 587-3775 for a free estimate!
