Exploring Boston suburbs to find the right place to settle down? The city of Marlborough, Massachusetts is a beautiful community known for its historic downtown, sense of community, family-friendly amenities, and great schools.
The city of Marlborough was once part of Sudbury before splitting in 1656. Incorporated as a town in 1660, it was named for the market town of Marlborough in the UK.
Here’s what makes living in Marlborough a great choice for families who want to enjoy small-town living without giving up the fun and opportunities of nearby Boston.
Where Is Marlborough, MA?
Marlborough is in Middlesex County in eastern Massachusetts. Marlborough is considered a suburb of Boston and within commuting distance. Marlborough to Boston is a 31.2 mile trip and about 51 minutes by car.
Marlborough is on the Assabet River and served by I-495, I-290, U.S. Route 20, and Route 85. It’s bordered by Hudson, Berlin, Framingham, Sudbury, Northborough, and Southborough.
The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority operates a regional bus service that includes Marlborough. This can help Marlborough residents easily get to Boston and other areas in the state. Marlborough is also convenient to Interstate 495, Interstate 290, Massachusetts State Route 85, and U.S. Route 20.
Marlborough, MA Population & Demographics
The population of Marlborough, MA was 41,793 in 2020, which is an increase from the 2010 census which revealed the city had 38,499 residents. The annual growth rate in Marlborough is .78% and the population density of the city of Marlborough is 2,003.12 per square mile.
The second largest group is people under the age of 18 (20%) followed by people 65 or older (15.2%) and finally, people under the age of 5 (6.7%).
The majority of the population in Marlborough is female (52.2%) however the gender distribution is nearly equal.
You may be familiar with some of Marlborough’s famous residents including Bobby Butler, a National Hockey League Player, Walter Brennan, a singer and actor, or John Buckley, a baseball pitcher.
The population of Marlborough is affluent. The median household income in 2020 was $83,469. To compare, the median household income in the US that same year was $67,521.
The majority of Marlborough residents are caucasian (70%) followed by Hispanic (14%), Asian (5%), Black or African American (4%), a race that isn’t listed (3%), two or more races (3%).
Marlborough is a very safe place to live. The crime rate per 100,000 residents is 1,271. This is 6.7% lower than the state of Massachusetts and 45.8% lower than the national average. This reveals that Marlborough is a safe place to reside and explains why it’s a popular place to live.
Marlborough has a lower violent crime rate than the national average. It also has a higher property crime rate than violent crime, which reveals crime is likely to be less severe.
The city of Marlborough is serviced by the Marlborough Police Department which is a fully accredited agency with 67 officers.
Cost of Living in Marlborough
The average cost of living in the United States is 100. The average cost of living in the state of Massachusetts is above the national average, 127.5. While the cost of living in Marlborough is above the national average, it’s below the state average at 122.
To afford to comfortably live in Marlborough, Massachusetts, you need to make about $102,992 per year if you have a family of four, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Expect to spend about $907 on food, $1450 on housing, $1213 on transportation, $1912 on childcare, and $1090 on healthcare per month in Marlborough.
The median home price in Marlborough is $507,500 according to RedFin. And RentCafe tells us the average monthly rent cost in Marlborough is $2374. Here are some Marlborough, Massachusetts homes for sale.
Marlborough Typical Monthly Living Expenses:
- Marlborough monthly cost of utilities: $233.15
- Jeans: $43
- Milk per liter: $.77
- Water (.33 liter bottle): $1.86
- Meal at inexpensive restaurant: $22
- Fitness Club: $51.11
Source: Numbeo
Marlborough Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Marlborough
There are a few neighborhoods in Marlborough, and the most popular (and therefore, most desirable to reside in) is called Robin Hill. Marlborough East and North are also runners-up for the best place to live in the city. Those neighborhoods are followed by Marlborough Southeast, West, City Center, and Marlborough Junction.
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Marlborough Weather & Climate
Marlborough is in the northeastern United States. Yes, it does snow in Marlborough, Mass. The city averages about 44 inches of snow per year which is significantly higher than the national average. The city also gets slightly more rain than the national average. When moving to Marlborough, be sure to bring both your raincoat and your snow boots!
You can expect summers in Marlborough to be warm, and winters are extremely cold and snowy. Generally speaking, the weather in Marlborough ranges between 19 degrees and 82 degrees. It’s extremely uncommon to see temperatures dip below 3 degrees Fahrenheit or higher than 90.
Things to Do in Marlborough, MA
Marlborough offers residents a myriad of things to do. Whether you are looking to get active or explore more of the city’s past, you can find an excellent activity that you’ll enjoy in Marlborough. Or, if you’re interested in doing some shopping, you can drop by Solomon Pond Mall, which is the area’s beloved shopping mall.
Ghiloni Park
If you have children, you’ll frequent this beloved park in Marlborough. It features a myriad of amenities your kids will love including a playground, splash pad for warm summer days, soccer fields, and nature trails your family can explore.
239 Concord Rd, Marlborough, MA 01752, 508-624-6925
Marlborough Historical Society
Marlborough’s history dates all the way back to the 1600s, so it’s no exaggeration to say that this town is historically significant. If you’re curious to learn more about your new home’s past, you can visit the Historical Society.
377 Elm St, Marlborough, MA 01752, 508-485-4763
New England Sports Center
If you are looking to get active with your family, look no further than the New England Sports Center. The New England Sports Center features six ice rinks that host youth hockey, figure skating courses, and there’s a restaurant so you can grab a bite to eat when your kids practice.
121 Donald Lynch Blvd, Marlborough, MA 01752, 508-229-2700
Additional attractions in Marlborough, MA:
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Marlborough Restaurants
With all the activities you’ll be doing in Marlborough, you’ll definitely work up an appetite! Here’s some excellent news: Marlborough boasts a variety of restaurants that you can try. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a relaxed family-friendly vibe or something more dressy and romantic.
Here are some of the best Marlborough restaurants.
- Firefly’s BBQ: If hearty Southern-style barbeque is right up your alley, you can’t miss out on Firefly’s. This casual spot offers Southern specialities and pizza, so there’s something for everyone. Plus, there’s live music several nights a week.
- 350 E Main St, Marlborough, MA 01752, 508-357-8883
- Bolton Street Tavern: This family-friendly spot features exceptional views (thanks to its lake-front patio), plus there are a myriad of beloved American dishes on the menu so there’s something for every appetite.
- 587 Bolton St, Marlborough, MA 01752, 508-485-4416
- Fish Restaurant & Wine Bar: If you’re a seafood enthusiast, add Fish Restaurant & Wine Bar to your list of restaurants you must try in Marlborough. You’ll love the modern, upbeat atmosphere, plus the array of dishes the menu offers. And did we mention there’s live jazz on Saturdays?
- 29 S Bolton St, Marlborough, MA 01752, 508-460-3474
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Jobs in Marlborough, MA
Marlborough is a suburb of Boston, which means that a lot of people who live in the city decide to commute into Boston for work. The commute is brief and many find it an excellent trade off for life in a small, close-knit community. Marlborough is also considered a good place to raise your kids.
If you’d prefer not to commute into Boston for your job, you will be happy to learn that there are employment opportunities in and around Marlborough itself. You can check out this job board to learn more about economic opportunities in the area. If you’re interested in employment opportunities for the city of Marlborough itself, you can visit their employment opportunities page.
According to Zippia, the average hourly rate in Marlborough is $47.25.
Schools in Marlborough
If you are moving to Marlborough and you have school-aged children, it’s likely you may have some questions regarding the school system you’ll be enrolling your children in. In Marlborough, children attend the Marlborough Public Schools. The state of Massachusetts is known for having some of the most rigorous education systems in the country. There are over 4,600 students enrolled in the district and there’s a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1.
Marlborough Statistics & Information
- Marlborough County: Middlesex
- Marlborough Area: 22.10 square miles
- Marlborough Zip code: 01752
- Marlborough Area code: 508, 774, 978
- Marlborough Elevation: 450 ft
- Marlborough Time Zone: EST
- Closest airport to Marlborough, Mass: Worcester Regional Airport, ORH, https://www.massport.com/worcester-airport/, 22.1 miles
Map of Marlborough, Massachusetts
Ready to start your new life in Marlborough, Mass? This map can help you get familiar with the area you’re soon to call home.
Moving to Marlborough? We can help.
Marlborough is an excellent place to live because of its proximity to Boston, the community vibe, and safety rating. If you’re ready to begin the process of moving, give our Marlborough movers a call at 978-587-3775 and get your free quote today.
