← Best suburbs near Boston

Belmont vs Watertown

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

School rating
10/10
8/10
Commute to Boston
35 min
32 min
Median home price
$1.4M
$809K
Annual property tax
$17K
$10K
Walk score
72
78
Density
suburban
urban

Summary: Watertown leads in 4 of 6 metrics. It edges out on commute to boston, median home price, annual property tax, walk score. The best choice depends on your family's priorities.

Character & vibe

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

Watertown

The best-kept secret in inner Boston suburbs. Armenian community, walkable Main Street, Charles River access, and prices lower than Brookline and Newton with very similar school quality.

walkablecommunity

Who should pick which?

Pick Belmont if you...

  • ·Prioritize top-rated schools above all else
  • ·Drawn to the community character

Pick Watertown if you...

  • ·Want the shortest commute to Boston
  • ·Need to keep your home budget in check
  • ·Value walkability and a pedestrian-friendly downtown
  • ·Want lower annual property taxes

Still deciding?

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

Talk to Burbia →