← Best suburbs near Boston

Arlington vs Belmont

Two popular MA suburbs of Boston, side by side. Here's how they compare on the metrics that matter most to families.

School rating
9/10
10/10
Commute to Boston
39 min
35 min
Median home price
$1.0M
$1.4M
Annual property tax
$11K
$17K
Walk score
82
72
Density
urban
suburban

Summary: Arlington leads in 3 of 6 metrics. It edges out on median home price, annual property tax, walk score. The best choice depends on your family's priorities.

Character & vibe

Arlington

Massachusetts Avenue corridor suburb with outstanding schools. Minuteman Bikeway starts here, Menotomy Rocks Park, and a community deeply invested in its schools.

communitywalkable

Belmont

An established inner suburb with top-rated schools. Belmont PS rates 10/10 in our dataset. Quiet hill streets, mature trees, and a community that values schools above all else.

communityquiet

Who should pick which?

Pick Arlington if you...

  • ·Need to keep your home budget in check
  • ·Value walkability and a pedestrian-friendly downtown
  • ·Want lower annual property taxes
  • ·Prefer a more urban, vibrant feel

Pick Belmont if you...

  • ·Prioritize top-rated schools above all else
  • ·Want the shortest commute to Boston

Still deciding?

Burbia scores both Arlington and Belmont — and every other town in the Boston Area — based on your specific commute, budget, and priorities. Not a generic list.

Talk to Burbia →