← Best suburbs near Boston

Chelmsford vs Westford

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

School rating
8/10
9/10
Commute to Boston
64 min
66 min
Median home price
$663K
$814K
Annual property tax
$8K
$10K
Walk score
32
25
Density
suburban
suburban

Summary: Chelmsford 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

Chelmsford

Route 3 and 495 corridor suburb with excellent schools. Chelmsford SD is one of the better systems in Middlesex County. Commuter rail from North Chelmsford, affordable compared to Burlington and Woburn.

communityquietspace

Westford

Westford Academy is one of the most academically competitive public high schools in Massachusetts. Large Indian and Chinese communities near tech employers on Route 3. Genworth Financial and VMware have offices here.

community

Who should pick which?

Pick Chelmsford 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

Pick Westford if you...

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

Still deciding?

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

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