Answer the bell and head to Belmont! The town was first established in 1859 by Massachusetts residents who wanted to create a place where no one could buy alcohol. It got its name from John Perkins Cushing, a local businessman who named his estate “Bellmont.” Belmont was initially a farm town, but trolley services in the 20th century brought new businesses to the area.
What is Belmont known for? Belmont is best known for McLean Hospital, a top-ranked psychiatric hospital. The town’s motto is “The Town Of Homes.” Belmont is a nice place to live with great schools, beautiful green spaces, and bustling businesses. Here is your guide on moving to Belmont.
Where Is Belmont?
Belmont is in Middlesex County. It is a suburb of Boston, included in the Boston metro area. Despite being close to Boston, the town contains large green areas, with northern Belmont being largely undeveloped. Belmont Center and the surrounding area is well-developed with homes and single-story commercial buildings. It is 8 miles from Belmont MA to Boston MA. People in Belmont are adjacent to residents living in Waltham MA, people moving to Watertown MA, and people living in Cambridge MA.
Belmont has two stops on the Fitchburg Commuter Rail line, Waverly and Belmont Center. The line provides access to North Station in Boston, which connects to Amtrak and MBTA lines, so moving to Belmont is easy. Alewife Station is in Cambridge directly east of Belmont, providing access to the Red Line. Several bus routes also run through Belmont, and you can use your car to access major highways like I-95.
Belmont Population and Demographics
The population of Belmont in 2020 was 27,344. The population increased by 10.4% between 2010 and 2020, and the population density was 5,944.3 people per square mile. Notable people from Belmont include Senator Mitt Romney, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and musician James Taylor.
Belmont’s demographics include:
- 52.8% women, 47.2% men
- Median age: 41.5
- Racial and ethnic composition: 72.5% White alone, 18.2% Asian alone, 4.8% two or more races, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 1.2% Black or African American alone, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
- Median household income: $151,502, roughly 1.5 times larger than the state median
- Educational attainment: 97.1% of residents have graduated high school, 77.4% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 26.4%
Belmont has a substantial population of Mormons, as it is the home of the Boston LDS Temple. Belmont is a very safe place to live. Here are the FBI crime statistics from 2020:
- Total crime rate per 100,000 residents: 758 offenses (44.3% lower than the state, 67.7% lower than the country)
- Violent crime rate per 100,000 residents: 61 offenses (80.2% lower than the state, 84.3% lower than the country)
- Property crime rate per 100,000 residents: 696 offenses (33.9% lower than the state, 64.5% lower than the country)
The Belmont Police Department employs 47 officers, at a rate of two officers per 1,000 people.
Cost of Living in Belmont
As Belmont is in the Boston metro area, you can use statistics from the metro area to estimate the cost of living in Belmont. The cost of living index in Boston is 153.2; items cost 53.2% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $130,740 every year to live in Middlesex County.
Housing is the biggest expense in Belmont. Belmont MA homes for sale have a median sale price of $1.3 million, or $484 per square foot. According to RentCafe, the average cost of rent for a Belmont apartment is $2,764 a month. Though Belmont can be an expensive place to live, you can find a lucrative job in town to cover your expenses.
Typical Belmont* Living Expenses
- 1 gallon of regular milk: $4.08
- 1 pound of beef: $11.333
- 1 head of lettuce: $1.62
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.63
- Average Belmont* utilities per month: $200.83
- 1 pair of jeans: $55.25
Source: Numbeo
*Statistics for Cambridge
Belmont Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Belmont
Belmont may be a small town, but it has many neighborhoods, each with its own amenities and options for beautiful homes. Here are the best places to live in Belmont.
Belmont Center | The Best Belmont Neighborhood for Shopping
Belmont Center is the commercial hub of Belmont. It contains the Belmont Commuter Rail stop and various restaurants, stores, banks, and boutiques. The Belmont Center Business Association regularly organizes public events like Belmont Town Day in May. Belmont Center has limited options for Belmont MA homes for sale. However, the area contains cheap Belmont real estate. You can purchase a two-bedroom single-family Belmont house covering more than 2,000 square feet for less than $1.4 million.
Waverley | Cozy Residential Neighborhood With Options for Belmont Housing
Waverley contains Waverley Square, another prominent commercial center in Belmont. Waverley has more options for housing, including homes dating to the 19th century. If you’re moving by yourself or with a partner, you can buy a two-bedroom home at less than 1,200 square feet for less than $550,000. If you’re moving with your family, you can purchase a five-bedroom Belmont home covering nearly 2,800 square feet for less than $1.2 million.
Belmont MA Weather and Climate
Belmont has a cool-summer Mediterranean climate, meaning it has mild temperatures in the summertime with rain throughout the year. The average temperature in July is 73 degrees, with the average high reaching 82 degrees. Winters can be cold; the average temperature in January is 28 degrees, with an average low of 22 degrees.
Belmont receives 37.7 inches of rain throughout the year. Every month experiences at least two inches of rain with three rainy days. Belmont also receives 36.1 inches of snow on average, with January and February seeing more than 10 inches. The best time to visit Belmont may be September; it’s the clearest month of the year in Belmont, and the average temperature is 62 degrees.
Things to Do in Belmont
Belmont is loaded with great points of interest for kids and couples alike. Shopping in Belmont is one of the most popular activities. In addition to Belmont Center, you can visit various stores in Cushing Square, including Winters Hardware. Belmont also contains a Star Market and two CVS stores.
Mass Audubon’s Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
Mass Audubon’s Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary contains four miles of walking trails and an outdoor picnic area. The center is also home to kid-friendly programs educating children and teens about conservation and wildlife.
10 Juniper Road, Belmont, MA 02478 617-489-5050
Belmont Country Club
Belmont Country Club contains an 18-hole golf club with manicured grass and rolling terrain. The club contains an on-site restaurant and outside grounds for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions.
181 Winter Street, Belmont, MA 02478 617-484-5360
Beaver Brook Reservation
Beaver Brook covers 59 acres of fields, woodlands, ponds, and athletic courts. The reservation is best known for its unique spray deck where your kids can swim in pools and play near water fixtures.
66 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478 857-702-3884
Additional Attractions in Belmont
The Recreation Department plans public events and runs family-friendly activities throughout the year. You can use their events calendar to see when the next events will occur and what public areas are open for use.
Belmont Restaurants
The Boston area is about a lot more than clams and cream pie! Restaurants in Belmont cover a range of cuisines and offer top experiences for adults and children.
Cafe Vanak
Conde Nast Traveler named Cafe Vanak one of the best restaurants in the world in 2022. It is a Persian restaurant that serves kebabs, falafel, and sandwiches.
271 Belmont Street, Belmont, MA 02478 617-932-1531
My Other Kitchen
My Other Kitchen is a Greek-American restaurant. You can enjoy gyros, souvlaki, and salads at low prices in a casual environment.
762 Pleasant Street, Belmont, MA 02478 617-932-1444
La Victoria Taqueria
La Victoria serves Mexican street food like burritos, quesadillas, and tortas. All dishes use fresh ingredients, and you can order takeout, making it perfect for a quick meal.
66 Leonard Street, Belmont, MA 02478 617-484-1515
Jobs in Belmont
The poverty rate in Belmont dropped by 9.9%, while the median household income grew by 8.6% between 2019 and 2020. 13,300 people have Belmont jobs, with the largest sectors being professional services, educational services, and health care. According to Payscale, the average salary per year is $83,000 and the average hourly rate is $22.54.
Major employers in Belmont include McLean Hospital, Belmont Hill School, and Belmont Savings Bank. You can find jobs in Belmont using Indeed, and you can get Town of Belmont jobs with the town government.
Belmont Schools
Belmont Public Schools is the main Belmont school district. US News and World Report ranks Belmont High School in the top 500 high schools in the country. More than 90% of students test at or above the proficiency levels in reading, science, and mathematics.
Belmont is close to several different major colleges. The closest one is Bentley University, which US News and World Report considers to be the second-best regional university in the Northern United States. Bentley offers bachelor’s degrees in 14 business fields as well as 11 arts and sciences disciplines. Living in Belmont means you will be within driving distance of Boston College, Brandeis University, and Harvard University.
Belmont Public Library is the main public library in town. The library serves tens of thousands of customers every year, and you can join book groups and attend free classes.
Belmont Statistics and Information
- County: Middlesex
- Belmont area: 4.7 square miles
- Belmont zip code: 02478
- Belmont area codes: 617, 857
- Belmont elevation: 44 feet
- Belmont time zone: Eastern Time Zone (EST)
- Closest airport to Belmont: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 12 miles away
Belmont Map
You can find exciting things to do, delicious restaurants, and premium schools with this map of Belmont.
Is Belmont a good place to live? Very much so! The town has safe streets and beautiful homes with great access to public services and high-paying jobs. But before you start living in Belmont, you need to figure out moving to Belmont. Mass Bay Movers has a team of elite Belmont movers. Get your free moving quote by calling 978-587-3775.
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