← Best suburbs near Boston

Southborough vs Westborough

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
9/10
Commute to Boston
58 min
64 min
Median home price
$929K
$717K
Annual property tax
$12K
$12K
Walk score
22
42
Density
suburban
suburban

Summary: Westborough 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

Southborough

Southborough SD (Algonquin Regional) is consistently top-ranked in Massachusetts. Commuter rail to South Station (Southborough station), large lots, and a character that has barely changed since the 1950s. The quiet, well-established MetroWest gem.

quietspace

Westborough

Westborough SD is excellent and the community sits at the intersection of Rt 9 and Rt 495 — the biotech corridor. EMC (now Dell) and DataRobot HQ. One of the most consistently excellent value suburbs in the state.

communityspace

Who should pick which?

Pick Southborough if you...

  • ·Want the shortest commute to Boston
  • ·Drawn to the quiet character

Pick Westborough if you...

  • ·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 Southborough and Westborough — and every other town in the Boston Area — based on your specific commute, budget, and priorities. Not a generic list.

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