You’ll be like a pea in a pod in Peabody! The Naumkeag inhabited the area now known as Peabody for thousands of years. English colonists arrived in 1626 and started the town of Salem in the area. Peabody did not become its own incorporated town until 1855, and it became a city in 1916. It was named after George Peabody, the father of modern philanthropy.
Peabody’s nicknames are “Tanner City” and “The Leather City.” The town is best known for its industrial history and its connections to the Salem witch trials.
Yet is Peabody MA a good place to live? Yes, it’s a great place to live with low crime rates, quaint neighborhoods, and must-do attractions and Peabody restaurants.
You may be tempted to start moving to Peabody, but you should think carefully about living in Peabody first. Here’s your guide on life in this beautiful city.
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Where Is Peabody Massachusetts?
What county is Peabody Massachusetts in? Peabody is in Essex County, inside the Boston metro area and the North Shore. Where is Peabody MA? Peabody borders Salem, Danvers, Lynnfield, and Lynn. The city has a small border with the Crane River, but it’s otherwise a largely developed residential community with a couple of small lakes and parks. It’s 15 miles from Peabody to Boston.
MBTA bus route 435 runs through Peabody, connecting the city to Lynn and Salem. The Logan Express provides shuttle services to and from Logan Airport. Peabody does not have any train stops; the closest one is a commuter rail stop in Salem. Several highways cross through Peabody, including U.S. Route 1, which provides access to downtown Boston and help with moving to Peabody.
Peabody Population and Demographics
The Peabody MA population was 54,492 people in 2020; the population grew by 6.3% between 2010 and 2020, and the population density is 3,355.6 people per square mile. Notable people from Peabody include Rochelle Walensky, John Proctor, and Giles Corey.
Peabody MA demographics include:
- 52.2% female, 47.8% male
- Median age: 46.5
- Racial and ethnic composition: 86.7% White alone, 11.5% Hispanic or Latino, 5.5% two or more races, 3.4% Black or African American alone, 1.3% Asian alone, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native alone
- Median household income: $83,570 (roughly 6% less than the state average)
- Educational attainment: 91.1% of residents aged 25 and older have graduated high school, 34.9% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 16.1%
Peabody is a safe community to live in. Here are the FBI crime statistics from 2020:
- Overall crime rate: 1,014 offenses per 100,000 people (25.6% lower than the state, 56.8% lower than the country)
- Violent crime rate: 215 crimes per 100,000 people (30.4% lower than the state, 44.6% lower than the country)
- Property crime rate: 798 crimes per 100,000 residents (24.2% lower than the state, 59.2% lower than the country)
The Peabody Police Department employs 85 police officers and 17 civilians.
Peabody MA Cost of Living
Peabody is in the Boston metropolitan area, so you can use Boston cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Peabody. The cost of living index in Boston is 153.2; Boston residents pay 53.2% more for items than the average American. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Essex County would need to earn $115,870 to cover their costs. Though this is higher than the national average, Peabody is more affordable than other cities near Boston.
Peabody Massachusetts real estate is also affordable for the Boston metro area. According to Redfin, the median sales price for houses for sale in Peabody MA is $575,000. According to RentCafe, the average rent of Peabody apartments is $2,596 a month. By contrast, Boston’s median sales price is $799,000, and the average rent is $3,758 a month.
Typical Peabody* living expenses
- 12 regular eggs: $5.39
- 1 pound of local cheese: $3.99
- 1 pound of apples: $1.99
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.69
- Average Peabody* utilities per month: $600.00
- 1 pair of business shoes: $200.00
Source: Numbeo
*Statistics for Lynn
Peabody Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Peabody
Purchasing Peabody homes for sale can be a little tricky. To make things simpler, take a look at a few Peabody neighborhoods. Here are the best places to live in the city.
West Peabody MA | Diverse Peabody real estate near beautiful parks
West Peabody is adjacent to U.S. Route 1, but it contains some of the city’s best green spaces, including Ross Memorial Park. It also has many options for housing. If you’re looking for an affordable house for sale in Peabody MA, you can purchase a two-bedroom mobile home for less than $120,000. If you’re a commuter who wants to live near Route 1, you can purchase a two-bedroom condo covering 2,000 square feet for less than $600,000.
Larger single-family homes are located close to the parks and in quieter areas of town. You can purchase three-bedroom ranch-style homes covering 1,600 square feet for less than $700,000. Many of these properties have luxurious amenities like pools and custom kitchens.
South Peabody | Best Peabody neighborhood for shoppers and commuters
South Peabody is just south of Interstate 95, making it a good place to live for commuters. The neighborhood contains several restaurants and small stores, including Christianbook. South Peabody has fewer houses for sale in Peabody than West Peabody, but the homes for sale tend to be more spacious and luxurious. Three-bedroom homes with 6,000-square-foot lots and attached garages are available for less than $500,000.
Peabody Weather and Climate
Peabody has a humid continental climate with very cold and snowy winters and warm and muggy summers. July is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 72 degrees and an average high of 79. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 28 degrees and an average low of 22. Peabody MA weather is consistently cloudy and wet throughout the year, with all months having at least seven days of precipitation.
Peabody receives an average of 38.6 inches of rain and 33.3 inches of snow every year. The community is also windy; February has an average wind speed of 10.3 miles per hour. The city can experience severe thunderstorms during the summer and blizzards during the winter. The weather can change rapidly, so follow the news for updates.
The best month to visit the city is September. September is the clearest month in Peabody and has the second-fewest days of precipitation. The average temperature is 63 degrees, so you can enjoy Peabody attractions while wearing a waterproof coat and gloves.
Things to Do in Peabody MA
You can find plenty of unique things to do in Peabody, including top outdoor attractions. Ask someone what to do in Peabody MA, and they’ll tell you to go shopping. The Northshore Mall contains more than 160 stores, including JCPenney and Nordstrom. Mills 58 is another shopping mall that contains over 75 stores, most of them locally run.
In the Game Peabody
In the Game is a family-friendly entertainment complex with a video arcade, laser tag arena, rock-climbing wall, and ropes course. The complex offers discounts and special nights throughout the year, letting you enjoy affordable nights out.
535A Lowell Street, Peabody, MA, 01960, 978-871-2860
Salem Country Club
Salem Country Club is best known for its 18-hole golf course, which has hosted six national championships. The club also contains four tennis courts and a 25-meter swimming pool, making it a hub for outside activities in the city.
133 Forest Street, Peabody, MA, 01960, 978-538-5400
The Meadow at Peabody
Meadow at Peabody has an 18-hole golf course spread over 250 acres. The course runs four leagues and is available for golf tournaments for parties of more than 100 people.
80 Granite Street, Peabody, MA, 01960, 978-532-9390
Additional Peabody attractions
The Peabody Recreation Department manages the city’s public spaces and runs special events throughout the year. You can use this calendar to see when free courses and parties will take place.
Peabody MA Restaurants
The North Shore is known for seafood and roast beef sandwiches. You can have these meals and many other choices at restaurants in Peabody MA, including affordable and family-friendly offerings.
Santarpio’s Pizza
Santarpio’s is a Boston-area landmark that serves thin crust, crispy pizzas with fresh toppings and Italian cheeses. The restaurant is also known for serving barbecue lamb and steak tips.
71 Newbury Street, Peabody, MA, 01960, 978-535-1811
Red’s Kitchen and Tavern
Reds Restaurant is a cool American diner that serves classic breakfast and lunch dishes, including freshly made pancakes. Red’s Tavern caters to adults, offering red and white wine as well as specialty cocktails and unique beers.
131 Newbury Street, Peabody, MA, 01960, 978-531-7337
Toscana’s Ristorante
Toscana Peabody serves Italian food in a classy space, including happy hour specials. The restaurant is well known as a caterer and party destination, including for children’s birthday parties.
3 Bourbon Street, Peabody, MA, 01960, 978-535-0731
Jobs in Peabody
Roughly 27,800 people have jobs in Peabody MA. The largest sectors for Peabody MA jobs are health care and social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. The job market grew by roughly .6% between 2019 and 2020, and the median household income grew by 10.2% during the same time period.
According to Payscale, the average base salary in Peabody is $75,000 a year, and the average hourly rate is $23.31. Major employers include Boston Children’s Hospital, Saucony, and Lahey Clinic. You can use Indeed to find additional Peabody jobs, and you can apply for City of Peabody jobs through the city government’s website.
Peabody Schools
Peabody Public Schools is the main public school district in Peabody. It has eight elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Peabody Veterans Memorial High School has a graduation rate of 94%, and it’s known in the Boston metro area for its performing arts program and drama club.
Private schools in Peabody include Covenant Christian Academy. The school offers a Christian and classical educational program in which students take logic and rhetoric classes. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, providing a full educational experience.
Peabody does not contain any colleges or universities. The closest one is Salem State University (SSU). US News and World Report ranks SSU in the top 50 public schools in the Northern United States. SSU offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs, including nursing and social work.
The Peabody Institute Library has a main library and two branches, one in South Peabody and one in West Peabody. The library has extensive catalogs of books for children and teenagers and runs a Creativity Lab with 3D printers, sound recording equipment, and textile machines.
Peabody Statistics and Information
- County: Essex
- Peabody area: 16.81 square miles
- Peabody zip code: 01960, 01961
- Peabody area code: 351, 978
- Peabody elevation: 17 feet
- Peabody time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Closest airport to Peabody: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 13 miles away from Peabody
Peabody Mass Map
Explore more Peabody attractions, delicious restaurants in Peabody MA, and terrific homes for sale with this map of Peabody MA!
Everybody should consider living in Peabody! The community has safe streets, diverse real estate, and high-paying and competitive Peabody Massachusetts jobs. Yet you should think through moving to Peabody. Mass Bay Movers has a team of more than 50 dedicated, experienced, and courteous Peabody movers. Get a free Peabody moving quote by calling 978-587-3775.
