Living in Brookline, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Brookline · Census data 2020–2024
Brookline has 63,266 residents with a median age of 35.2. The median household income is $142,101 (37% higher than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $1,246,800, the median rent is $2,835/month.
Brookline at a glance
- Population
- 63,266
- Median age
- 35.2State: 40
- Median household income
- $142,101State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $1,246,800State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $2,835/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 46.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 85.4%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Brookline a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 37% higher than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%; a poverty rate of 8.7%.
Cons: Home values 122% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Brookline
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Brookline the median home value is $1,246,800, 275% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,835 per month, which is 28.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $4,001 a month in housing costs.
Brookline median household income
The median household income in Brookline is $142,101 and the income per person is $96,682. 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Brookline: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 28,873
- Owner-occupied
- 46.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 53.1%
- Vacant
- 4.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.24
Brookline demographics
- Population
- 63,266
- Median age
- 35.2
- Under 18
- 18.7%
- 65 and older
- 15.8%
- Households
- 27,587
- Foreign-born
- 27.8%
- Veterans
- 2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Brookline ›
Education in Brookline
85.4% of adults 25 and older in Brookline have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 57.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Brookline
- Unemployment rate
- 3.6%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 30.1%
- Drive alone
- 28.4%
- Public transit
- 18.1%
- Walk to work
- 14.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 96.1%
Brookline vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookline | 63,266 | $142,101 | $1,246,800 | $2,835 |
| Newton | 89,044 | $190,304 | $1,264,900 | $2,370 |
| Watertown | 35,543 | $126,265 | $784,600 | $2,502 |
| Cambridge | 118,796 | $130,748 | $1,092,100 | $2,787 |
| Somerville | 81,036 | $132,572 | $911,300 | $2,517 |
| Belmont | 27,175 | $183,137 | $1,159,000 | $2,527 |
| Dedham | 25,237 | $128,955 | $661,800 | $2,042 |
| Needham | 32,459 | $214,308 | $1,188,500 | $2,409 |
| Milton | 28,587 | $188,529 | $933,200 | $1,474 |
More for people moving to Brookline
Brookline ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Brookline: FAQ
What is the median household income in Brookline, MA?
The median household income in Brookline is $142,101, 37% higher than the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Brookline?
The median home value in Brookline is $1,246,800, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Brookline?
The median gross rent in Brookline is $2,835 per month, about 28.9% of household income.
Is Brookline, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 37% higher than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%; a poverty rate of 8.7%. Minuses: home values 122% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Brookline?
The median age in Brookline is 35.2 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Brookline?
The average commute to work in Brookline is 27 minutes; 30.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Brookline?
The unemployment rate in Brookline is 3.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Brookline?
85.4% of adults in Brookline have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: