The story of this market
The typical home in Arlington, Massachusetts sells for about $1,100,000, or $602 per square foot.
Prices are up +1.9% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 21 days to sell, which is fast. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $3,250 a month.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+2.5%
MA · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Arlington, Massachusetts
Arlington's housing market remains highly competitive, characterized by low inventory and consistent demand from buyers seeking access to top-tier schools and proximity to Boston. Prices continue to show modest year-over-year growth, supported by the town's desirability and limited housing supply. The market is currently driven by a strong professional demographic and a stable, high-income local economy.
No ARED county foreclosure postings attributed to Arlington yet — the verified ledger covers every county the foreclosure ingest has read, attributed by published city area. Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.
Deterministic aggregate of 2 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Median prices moved down 13.9% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 21 days on market with 0.4 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
2% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 103.25% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 2.8% · poverty 4.1% — a stable, low-distress profile.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this city — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
A premier 10-mile paved rail-trail that serves as a major recreational artery and commuter route connecting Arlington to neighboring towns and the MBTA system.
A significant natural feature offering public access for boating, fishing, and walking, serving as a central hub for community outdoor activity.
The town's primary commercial district, featuring a dense collection of local restaurants, boutiques, and essential services that define the local character.
Arlington is an ideal fit for established families and professionals who prioritize school quality and proximity to the Boston-Cambridge employment hubs. It appeals to those seeking a suburban lifestyle with urban-adjacent convenience, though the high entry price point often limits access for first-time buyers.
Arlington Public Schools are highly regarded, consistently ranking among the top districts in the state for academic performance and college readiness. The district is known for its robust curriculum and strong community support for educational initiatives.
The town is served by an extensive MBTA bus network and is located near the Alewife Red Line station, facilitating efficient transit to downtown Boston. Massachusetts Avenue serves as the primary transit and traffic corridor through the town.
The town features an extensive amenity base anchored by the Minuteman Bikeway, which provides a vital recreational and transit corridor for cyclists and pedestrians. Residents also enjoy significant green space at Spy Pond, Robbins Farm Park, and various community centers that host year-round programming.
The rental market is tight, driven by high demand from professionals and families seeking access to top-tier schools and proximity to Boston. Vacancy rates remain low, and the market is characterized by a mix of multi-family homes and apartment complexes with limited short-term rental presence.
Arlington's economy is largely service-oriented and residential, with most residents commuting to major employers in the Boston-Cambridge metro area. The town benefits from a highly educated workforce and strong local business support within its commercial centers.
Arlington functions primarily as a mature, high-demand residential suburb with limited space for large-scale new development. Economic momentum is driven by its proximity to the Boston-Cambridge innovation corridor, making it a preferred location for professionals working in tech, biotech, and academia.
Development is focused on the revitalization of the Alewife Corridor and the ongoing modernization of public school facilities. Planning efforts prioritize maintaining neighborhood density while improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
Parcels in Arlington are subject to standard municipal property taxes and are served by the Arlington Public Schools district. There are no significant MUD or PID districts, as the town provides its own utility and infrastructure services.
Arlington maintains a reputation as a safe, family-oriented community with crime rates consistently lower than the Massachusetts state average. Reported incidents are primarily property-related, with violent crime remaining rare in this suburban environment.
The town faces moderate risks related to localized flooding in low-lying areas near water bodies like Spy Pond and the Alewife Brook. Residents are generally encouraged to maintain flood insurance, and the town actively manages stormwater infrastructure to mitigate these risks.
Property insurance premiums in Arlington are influenced by the town's suburban density and localized flood risks. The market remains stable, though homeowners in flood-prone zones near water bodies may face higher premiums.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Massachusetts) — Massachusetts Local Property Tax: Ad valorem tax calculated as (Municipal Budget / Total Assessed Value of all taxable property) = Tax Rate per $1,000 of assessed value. Assessments must be at 100% of full and fair cash (market) value.
Researched annual trajectory for this city, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this city's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov; figures reflect place-level census data.
No public schools report a street address in this area. Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2023-24.