Living in Auburn MA is ideal for everyone! The Nipmuc people lived in the Auburn area for thousands of years before English settlers arrived in 1714. The state government incorporated Auburn as a town in 1778. It was initially called Ward after Artemas Ward, a general of the Continental Army.
In 1837, the town changed its name to Auburn after complaints from the postal service that the town’s name was too similar to Ware. Auburn was a small agricultural community for much of its early history. People only began moving to Auburn once Worcester developed factories in the 1800s.
Auburn remained a bedroom community of Worcester with a small economy of its own throughout the 1900s. In the late 1900s, the town of Auburn started developing businesses. Auburn is now a quaint suburb of Worcester with top schools and recreational areas. Is Auburn a good place to live?
Yes, it’s a great place to live, especially if you have a job in Worcester and you want a quaint community to raise children. What is Auburn known for? Auburn is best known today for being the site of the first liquid-fueled rocket launch. There is no official Auburn nickname or motto.
Moving to Auburn may sound right up your alley. But before you relocate to this special place, you should learn more about life in Auburn. Here’s what to know about this quaint and quiet suburb.
Where Is Auburn?
Where is Auburn, and what county is Auburn in? Auburn is in Worcester County, inside the Worcester metropolitan area and Central Massachusetts. It is a suburb of Worcester, and it borders Worcester to the south. It is 5.1 miles from Auburn MA to Worcester MA. It also borders Millbury, Oxford, and Leicester. Auburn has a few notable geographic features, like Pakachoag Hill and Dark Brook.
Auburn has a mixture of developed areas, including residential and commercial sectors, and undeveloped spaces. Developed spaces are clustered toward the center of town, while green areas are around the edges. The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) serves residents living in Auburn MA, providing a few bus routes that run through and stop in the community.
You can see where bus routes and stops are using the WRTA system map. You can use the WRTA for moving to Auburn at an affordable price, as the WRTA is fare-free until June 2025.
Auburn Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the Auburn population in 2020 was 16,889, up by 4.3% since 2010. Auburn is one of the largest towns in the county, though it has a smaller population than all of the cities in Worcester County. The Auburn population density is 1,090.7 people living in Auburn MA per square mile.
Notable people living in Auburn MA include Patrick Allen Joslyn, Tyler Beede, and Robert Goddard. Notable Auburn demographics include:
- 54.0% female, 46.0% male
- Median age of residents living in Auburn MA: 43.8
- Racial and ethnic composition of people living in Auburn MA: 89.4% White (88.1% non-Hispanic), 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 5.3% two or more races, 3.1% Asian, 0.9% Black or African American
- Median household income of residents living in Auburn MA: $101,931 (roughly 5% higher than the state median)
- Educational attainment of residents living in Auburn MA: 93.2% of people living in Auburn MA have graduated high school, 42.0% of residents living in Auburn MA have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born percentage of people living in Auburn MA: 7.3%
Auburn is one of the wealthiest communities in Worcester County. Its median income is 15.1% higher than the county median and 47.2% higher than the City of Worcester median. Over half of households make at least $100,000 a year, with 12.5% making at least $200,000. Auburn is a hub for veterans in Worcester County as well. 7.5% of residents living in Auburn MA are veterans, including 267 Vietnam War veterans.
Auburn is a safe community to live in. Here are its latest crime rates, according to the FBI in 2022:
- Overall Auburn crime rate: 1,801 offenses per 100,000 people living in Auburn MA (29.4% higher than the state rate, 22.5% lower than the national rate)
- Violent Auburn crime rate: 207 crimes per 100,000 people living in Auburn MA (35.7% lower than the Massachusetts rate, 44.0% lower than the national average)
- Property Auburn crime rate: 1,594 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Auburn MA (49.0% higher than the Massachusetts rate, 18.4% lower than the national rate)
Auburn’s crime rate may be slightly higher than the Massachusetts rate. However, it still has lower rates than the national average and other cities in Massachusetts. Its violent crime rate is substantially lower than the national and state rates. Its overall crime rate is 31.5% lower than the Worcester crime rate and 31.8% lower than the Boston crime rate. The Auburn Police Department employs 39 sworn police officers living in Auburn MA.
Auburn Cost of Living
Auburn cost of living statistics are difficult to find, so you can use Worcester’s cost of living and Boston cost of living figures as baselines. The Boston cost of living index is 146.5, meaning items in and around the Boston area cost 46.5% more than the national average.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the Worcester metro area needs to earn $123,905 a year to cover their cost of living. Auburn Massachusetts can be an expensive place to live. You can save money by renting a house, and students can find affordable condos and apartments in the area.
Auburn real estate is fairly affordable. According to Redfin, Auburn homes for sale have a median cost of $473,250, with a median price per square foot of $260. According to RentCafe, Auburn apartments have an average cost of $1,501 a month. Roughly 16% of residents living in Auburn MA rent in Auburn.
Typical Auburn* Living Expenses
- 1 gallon of regular milk: $3.63
- 12 regular eggs: $3.72
- 1 pound of oranges: $1.42
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.34
- Average Auburn* utilities per month: $118.73
- 1 pair of jeans: $55.00
Source: Numbeo
*Typical expenses actually for Worcester
Auburn Neighborhoods | Where to Live In Auburn
Auburn does not have any official neighborhoods, which can make the search for Auburn real estate a little tricky. The Auburn real estate market is small. 196 homes for sale were sold in Auburn in 2023, nearly all of which were single family homes. There are very few condos or townhomes on the market at any given time.
There is no particular type of architectural or interior design style popular in Auburn homes for sale. You can find bungalows, mobile homes, duplexes, and sprawling single-family properties. Footprints vary, with some homes containing two or three bedrooms and covering 1,300 square feet and other homes containing four or five bedrooms and covering 2,200 square feet. Prices are around the median, with some homes close to $500,000.
The Auburn real estate market is even smaller for rental properties. Auburn Gardens Apartments is the only notable apartment complex in the Town of Auburn. Auburn Gardens offers one and two-bedroom Auburn apartments with on-site laundry facilities. Homes for rent occasionally come on the market, but the number of homes is small. If you’re looking to rent an apartment after moving to Auburn, you can find apartments in nearby communities.
For those planning a short-term visit or scouting the area before a move, Vacation Cottage offers convenient hotel options in Auburn with a cozy, home-like atmosphere.
Auburn Weather and Climate
You should understand the Auburn weather year round before moving to Auburn. Auburn has a humid continental climate with warm summers and freezing and snowy winters. Auburn weather by month and the Auburn average temperature by month can vary wildly. July is the warmest month of the year, with an average temperature of 71 degrees and an average high of 80.
Temperatures peak in mid-July and start to decline steadily in late August. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 26 degrees and an average low of 20. Average lows are below-freezing between late November and late March.
Does it snow in Auburn? Yes, it snows quite a lot in Auburn! Auburn receives an average of 36.1 inches of rain and 46.7 inches of snow every year. The high rain in the summer creates humidity, with over one-quarter of the days in the summer being muggy and oppressive. You can experience blizzards and thunderstorms while living in Auburn MA. You should check Auburn weather reports before going out in the summer or winter.
October is the best month to visit Auburn and start moving to Auburn. Over half of the days in October are clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy. The average temperature is 51 degrees, so you can stay comfortable in a long-sleeved shirt and a light jacket. Mid-October is when peak foliage occurs in Auburn, so you can enjoy beautiful fall colors in the community. April is another nice time to visit Auburn, as you can see flowers blooming in a community field.
Things to Do in Auburn
You can enjoy many incredible things to do in Auburn, including top outdoor attractions and family-friendly destinations. The Auburn Mall is the best point of interest for shopping in Auburn, with over 50 different stores like Macy’s and Men’s Warehouse. You can also visit The Home Depot, Shaw’s, and Town Fair Tire.
Crystal Caves
Crystal Caves is the top kid-friendly attraction in Auburn. It offers an 18-hole mini golf course, batting cages, basketball trampolines, and an ice cream parlor. The attraction is open during the spring, summer, and fall months.
790 Southbridge Street, Auburn, MA, 01501, 508-832-0797
Pakachoag Golf Course
The Pakachoag Golf Course offers a nine-hole golf course home to golf leagues and tournaments during the spring, summer, and fall. The course is open to children under 18, and residents can receive discounts.
15 Upland Street, Auburn, MA, 01501, 508-755-3291
Horgan Skating Arena
The Horgan Skating Arena is a public ice skating rink home to the Auburn Men’s Hockey League, Worcester Junior Railers, and other leagues. You can take classes and learn how to skate throughout the year, and you can buy skates from an on-site pro shop.
403 Oxford Street North, Auburn, MA, 01501, 508-832-7201
Additional Things to Do in Auburn
Ask a resident living in Auburn MA about what to do in Auburn, and they’ll encourage you to attend town events. The Town of Auburn Recreation and Culture Division is the official Auburn Parks and Rec department. The department plans special events throughout the year, including fitness programs and holiday festivals you can visit while living in Auburn MA. You can use the Auburn events calendar to see what events are upcoming.
Auburn Restaurants
The Worcester area is well-known for its eclectic and fun restaurants. You can try out all sorts of dishes at Auburn restaurants while living in Auburn MA, including great casual restaurants.
Major League Roast Beef
Major League Roast Beef is best known for its roast beef and pastrami sandwiches and its unique sports-themed atmosphere on Washington Street. You can also enjoy sub sandwiches, chicken wings, hot dogs, and other treats.
503 Washington Street, Auburn, MA, 01501, 508-832-4300
Bentley Pub
The Bentley Pub is a casual American restaurant with steaks, seafood, chicken wings, and other classic dishes. The Bentley Pub menu rotates, so you can enjoy seasonal dishes and specials throughout the year. It’s one of the best restaurants in Auburn for alcoholic drinks, with extensive beer and wine lists.
602 Southbridge Street, Auburn, MA, 01501, 508-407-8880
Bar One and Sushi
Bar One Sushi is Worcester County’s top sushi restaurant. You can order dozens of different sushi dishes, as well as Chinese dishes, for less than $15.
850 Southbridge Street, Auburn, MA, 01501, 774-321-6075
Auburn Jobs
According to the Town of Auburn, the community has over 9,500 Auburn jobs. More people commute into Auburn to work than commute out of the city to work. Nearly 900 people living in Auburn MA have jobs at Auburn businesses. The town has been a hub for development, with new projects like Percy’s Distribution Center adding hundreds of jobs to the economy. The top three sectors in Auburn jobs are retail trade, education and health services, and wholesale trade.
The largest employers in Auburn include The Home Depot, Polar Beverages, and Reliant Medical Group. According to Payscale, the average salary in Auburn is $79,000 a year, with an average base hourly rate of $20.57. You can use Indeed to research jobs in Auburn, and you can apply for Town of Auburn jobs on the town government’s website after moving to Auburn. You can also find jobs in Auburn area using Indeed while living in Auburn MA.
Auburn Schools
Auburn Public Schools is the official Auburn school district. It serves all students living in Auburn MA. The school district contains six schools:
- Auburn Integrated Preschool, open to three and four-year-olds living in Auburn MA
- Pakachoag Elementary School, a K-2 school
- Bryn Mawr Elementary School, a K-2 school
- Swanson Road Intermediate School, a grade 3-5 school
- Auburn Middle School, a grade 6-8 school
- Auburn High School, a grade 9-12 school
US News ranks Auburn Middle School in the top 200 middle schools in Massachusetts. US News also ranks Auburn High School in the top 150 high schools in Massachusetts. Auburn High School has dozens of extracurricular programs, including We the People, a civics club focused on congressional law and principles. There are not multiple Auburn high schools.
There are no private schools in Auburn or colleges. Auburn Public Library serves all residents living in Auburn MA.
Auburn Statistics and Information
- County: Worcester County
- Auburn area: 16.4 square miles
- Auburn zip code: 01501
- Auburn area code: 508 and 774
- Auburn elevation: 603 feet
- Auburn time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Auburn: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 48.5 miles from Auburn
Auburn Map
You can use this Auburn map to find the best restaurants in Auburn, top Auburn things to do, and other amenities.
Start Living in Auburn MA Today
Living in Auburn MA is quaint, quiet, and comfortable! You and your family can enjoy eating at top restaurants, visiting great outdoor attractions, and living in a comfortable home.
Moving to Auburn isn’t tricky either. Mass Bay Movers has the best Auburn movers with 10 years of experience in the moving industry. Call 978-587-3775 for a free estimate now.
