If you're moving to Boston and schools or safety matter to your family, this is the reference you need. We analyzed 38+ Boston-area neighborhoods using school quality data (rated 1–10) and crime grades (A+ through F), then ranked them so you can compare any neighborhood against the full metro at a glance.
Elite Tier — School Rating 9–10
Boston has 9 neighborhoods that reach a school rating of 9 or 10 out of 10. These are the zones where public school performance is genuinely exceptional.
Lexington leads the Boston area rankings with a 9/10 school rating and A+ crime grade at a $2.5M median price. Newton is a strong alternative at 9/10 schools, A+ crime, and $2.7M median.
Strong Tier — School Rating 8
A school rating of 8/10 is well above the national average. Boston has 5 neighborhoods in this tier. These are solid family zones where you get strong public schools without necessarily paying the top-tier premium.
Highlights in this tier: South End ($3.1M, A crime), Arlington ($2.6M, A- crime), Watertown ($2.6M, A- crime), West Roxbury ($2.8M, A- crime), Charlestown ($3.0M, A- crime).
Best Value — Strong Schools Under $700,000
These neighborhoods offer the best school rating and crime grade combination at or under $700,000 median price — the spots where what you pay is less than what you get in school quality and safety.
Full Boston Neighborhood Rankings
| Neighborhood | Schools | Crime | Median Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | 9/10 | A+ | $2.5M |
| Newton | 9/10 | A+ | $2.7M |
| Brookline | 9/10 | A+ | $2.7M |
| Beacon Hill | 9/10 | A+ | $3.1M |
| Back Bay | 9/10 | A+ | $3.1M |
| Milton | 9/10 | A | $2.5M |
| Needham | 9/10 | A | $2.5M |
| Cambridge | 9/10 | A | $2.7M |
| Belmont | 9/10 | A- | $2.6M |
| South End | 8/10 | A | $3.1M |
| Arlington | 8/10 | A- | $2.6M |
| Watertown | 8/10 | A- | $2.6M |
| West Roxbury | 8/10 | A- | $2.8M |
| Charlestown | 8/10 | A- | $3.0M |
| North End | 7/10 | A- | $3.0M |
| Winthrop | 7/10 | B+ | $2.3M |
| Medford | 7/10 | B+ | $2.4M |
| Braintree | 7/10 | B+ | $2.4M |
| Dedham | 7/10 | B+ | $2.5M |
| Waltham | 7/10 | B+ | $2.6M |
| Somerville | 7/10 | B+ | $2.7M |
| Roslindale | 7/10 | B+ | $2.8M |
| Jamaica Plain | 7/10 | B+ | $2.9M |
| South Boston | 7/10 | B+ | $3.0M |
| Fenway | 7/10 | B+ | $3.1M |
| Brighton | 6/10 | B+ | $2.9M |
| Malden | 6/10 | B | $2.4M |
| Weymouth | 6/10 | B | $2.4M |
| Quincy | 6/10 | B | $2.6M |
| Mission Hill | 6/10 | B | $2.7M |
| Hyde Park | 6/10 | B | $2.8M |
| Allston | 6/10 | B | $2.9M |
| Revere | 5/10 | B- | $2.4M |
| Dorchester | 5/10 | C+ | $2.9M |
| East Boston | 5/10 | C+ | $3.0M |
| Lynn | 4/10 | C+ | $2.3M |
| Mattapan | 4/10 | C | $2.8M |
| Roxbury | 4/10 | C | $2.9M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Boston neighborhood has the best schools?
The top-rated neighborhood in the Boston area is Lexington (9/10 schools, A+ crime, $2.5M median). A strong alternative is Newton (9/10 schools, A+ crime, $2.7M median).
What is the safest neighborhood in Boston?
The top-rated neighborhoods by crime grade in Boston include Back Bay (A+), Beacon Hill (A+), Brookline (A+), Newton (A+). Crime grades are relative to the Boston metro area.
Which Boston neighborhood has the best schools under $700,000?
Several Boston neighborhoods offer strong schools at accessible price points.
Is a 7/10 school rating good in Boston?
Yes — a 7/10 school rating in Boston is above average for the metro and well above the national average. The difference between a 7 and a 9 is real, but a 7 is not a bad school by any reasonable measure. Many buyers find 7-rated neighborhoods represent the best value in the market.
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