Living in Medford, MA: prices, taxes and transit
Green Line, Orange Line and commuter rail, with one of the lowest residential tax rates in the area.
Medford's single-family median was $860,000 in September 2026 and $905,000 over 12 months. Its FY2026 residential rate of $8.63 per $1,000 is among the lowest of the 129 towns we track. Transit includes the Green Line at Medford/Tufts, the Orange Line at Wellington, and commuter rail at West Medford.
Medford by the numbers
Source: The Context Report No. 5 (October 2026), MLS PIN closed single-family sales for September 2026; Massachusetts DOR FY2026 tax rates. Carrying cost assumes 20% down on a 30-year fixed loan and excludes insurance, HOA and maintenance. Annual tax on the September median at the FY2026 rate is about $7,422 before any exemption.
Every issue of The Context Report for Medford
| Issue | Median | Sales | Carrying cost / mo | 12-mo median | 12-mo change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1, June 2026 | $947,000 | 14 | $5,520 | $921,200 | +5.3% |
| No. 2, July 2026 (June 2026 sales) | $865,500 | 26 | $5,056 | $912,250 | +1.8% |
| No. 3, August 2026 (July 2026 sales) | $895,750 | 28 | $5,299 | $902,500 | +0.2% |
| No. 4, September 2026 (August 2026 sales) | $1,037,500 | 24 | $6,199 | $900,000 | -1.0% |
| No. 5, October 2026 (September 2026 sales) | $860,000 | 11 | $5,447 | $905,000 | -0.5% |
Living in Medford
A lot of people move to Medford for Boston access at a lower price and tax bill than its closest neighbors. It has the Green Line, the Orange Line and commuter rail, plus I-93, and one of the lowest residential tax rates of the towns we track. Tufts University's main campus sits on the Somerville line. Medford Square has restaurants and the city-owned Chevalier Theatre, which hosts concerts and comedy.
Medford has more open space than most cities this close to Boston. The Middlesex Fells Reservation, 2,575 acres of state park with more than 100 miles of trails, covers the north side of the city, with Medford access near Bellevue Pond on South Border Road. The Mystic River Reservation runs along the river and the Mystic Lakes, with paths and the Condon Shell, an outdoor stage on the Mystic Valley Parkway. The Medford Farmers Market sets up at the Condon Shell on Thursdays from 3 to 7 PM, early June to mid-October. Clippership Park on Riverside Avenue near Medford Square has a seasonal pop-up park with concerts and movie nights.
Close to half of Medford's homes are single-families, and about a third are in two- to four-family buildings. Most of the housing is older: almost 6 in 10 homes are in buildings built before 1940. West Medford and the streets near the Fells and Tufts have many older single-families, South Medford and the areas around Medford Square have more two-families, and newer condo and apartment buildings sit near Wellington and along the river. Homes within a walk of the Green Line, the Orange Line, or the commuter rail are a different kind of buy than homes on busy roads or ones that need major work. Those usually need more patience and a clearer plan. Current prices and how long homes sit update with The Context Report on this page.
Homes in Medford
Medford has a mix of single-families, two-families and condos. Older homes on smaller lots are common near Medford Square and South Medford, with larger lots in parts of West Medford and near the Middlesex Fells. Newer condo buildings sit near Wellington and along the Mystic River.
Taxes and monthly cost
At $8.63 per $1,000, a home assessed at $860,000 would pay about $7,422 a year. Medford does not offer a residential exemption.
Getting around
- Green Line: Medford/Tufts, at the end of the E branch, near the Somerville line. Ball Square in Somerville is also close to parts of Medford.
- Orange Line: Wellington, with a large parking garage.
- Commuter rail: West Medford on the Lowell Line to North Station.
- By car: I-93 and Route 16, Route 28 and Route 60.
Schools, safety, water and flood data
We do not rate towns. These are the official sources, so you can look at the data yourself.
- Schools: Massachusetts DESE school and district profiles. Search for Medford to see enrollment, staffing, assessment results and more.
- Crime data: Massachusetts crime statistics, the state's public crime reporting site. The Medford police department also publishes local reports.
- Drinking water: MWRA drinking water quality reports (Medford is an MWRA water community).
- Flood zones: FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Enter the address. If a home is in a high-risk flood zone, lenders will require flood insurance, so check before you make an offer.
Areas near the Mystic River and Malden River can be in mapped flood zones. Check every address.
Sources
Questions this page answers
What is the median home price in Medford, MA?
Medford's single-family median was $860,000 in September 2026 on 11 sales. Over the last 12 months it was $905,000, -0.5% from a year earlier.
What is the property tax rate in Medford?
Medford's FY2026 residential rate is $8.63 per $1,000, down from $8.80 in FY2025. That is the fifth lowest of the 129 cities and towns we track.
Does Medford have a T stop?
Yes. The Green Line E branch ends at Medford/Tufts, the Orange Line stops at Wellington, and the Lowell commuter rail line stops at West Medford.
Is Medford a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. Here are the facts side by side: prices, taxes, transit, and links to public school, crime, water and flood data.
How much does it cost per month to own a home in Medford?
About $5,447 a month in principal, interest and property tax on the September median, with 20% down on a 30-year fixed loan.