What are the wealthiest zip codes in Massachusetts?
The wealthiest zip codes in Massachusetts are concentrated in the Boston suburbs, with Weston (02493), Wellesley (02481), and Newton‘s Waban village (02468) all reporting median household incomes above $250,000, followed closely by Dover, Carlisle, and Sherborn.
Why This Matters Right Now for Boston Suburb Buyers and Sellers
If you are relocating to Massachusetts or evaluating where to buy your next home, understanding which zip codes hold the most wealth tells you more than just who your neighbors might be. It reveals school funding patterns, infrastructure investment, property appreciation trajectories, and long-term resale strength.
What I tell my clients constantly is this: the suburbs are king when it comes to wealth in Massachusetts. A Business Journal analysis of Census data confirmed what those of us working in these communities already knew. The highest concentrations of wealth are not downtown. They are in the leafy corridors west and northwest of Boston, in places like Newton, Winchester, Wellesley Hills, and yes, Needham. Having spent 25 years helping families navigate these exact communities, I can tell you that the data only scratches the surface. The real story is in how these towns compare day to day, block to block, and what that means for your buying or selling strategy right now.
The Top Wealthiest Zip Codes in Massachusetts by Median Household Income
So where does the money actually live? Based on the most recent Census data analysis, here are the top zip codes ranked by median household income.
- Tied at #1: Weston (02493), Wellesley (02481), Newton/Waban (02468), and Dover (02030) all exceeded $250,000 in median household income
- #5: Carlisle (01741) at $247,656
- #6: Sherborn (01770) at $242,688
- #7: Sudbury (01776) at $234,427
- #8: Wellesley (02482) at $230,625
- #9: Lexington (02420) at $221,458
- #10: Medfield (02052) at $215,099
- #11: Newton/Newton Centre (02459) at $210,785
- #12: Manchester-by-the-Sea (01944) at $209,052
- #13: Winchester (01890) at $208,531
- #14: Needham (02492) at $207,844
Notice something? Nearly every zip code in the top 14 is a Boston suburb. You will not find a single downtown Boston zip code on this income-based list. The wealth corridor runs along Route 128 and west, through communities with excellent public schools, commuter rail access, and deep housing stock.
One relocating family I worked with last year was originally set on living in the city itself. When we walked through the data together and they saw that Needham’s median household income of $207,844 was double the state median of $103,960, while offering four commuter rail stops and an A+ school district, their search shifted entirely. They ended up in a four-bedroom Colonial near Needham Center and have not looked back.
Why Newton’s Villages Dominate the Boston Suburbs Wealth Rankings
The Business Journal analysis revealed a pattern that surprised even some seasoned real estate professionals: the top four zip codes for concentrated wealth were all Newton villages. Waban topped the list, followed by West Newton, Newton Center, and Newton Highlands. Two more suburban zip codes, Winchester and Wellesley Hills, came next.
What makes Newton’s dominance so significant for you as a buyer? Newton is essentially a city made of 13 distinct villages, each with its own character, price point, and micromarket. Waban, which borders Needham directly to the north, features some of the most prestigious residential streets in Greater Boston. When you buy in Needham’s Birds Hill neighborhood, which has seen individual sales reach $3.025 million, you are literally across the town line from the wealthiest zip code in the state.
This adjacency matters enormously. Needham routinely trades at a 10 to 15 percent discount compared to Newton and Wellesley while matching them on virtually every quality-of-life metric. That is the insight I share with every buyer who asks me where to get the best value in the wealthiest corridor of Massachusetts.
Where Needham Ranks Among the Wealthiest Zip Codes in Massachusetts
Needham’s 02492 zip code ranked 14th in Massachusetts with a median household income of $207,844. But income data alone does not tell you how this town actually performs as a real estate investment.
Consider the appreciation trajectory. Needham’s median single-family sale price has climbed from $1.455 million in 2022 to $2,359,500 in early 2026. That is a 62 percent increase that outpaces every other comparable town in the area. Average residential property values jumped 22.28 percent in the most recent assessor review.
What does that actually mean for your wallet? If you had purchased a median-priced Needham home in 2022 and sold it today, you would be looking at roughly $900,000 in appreciation on paper. That kind of growth does not happen in communities without deep, sustained demand.
The schools are a major driver. Needham High School ranks 21st out of 349 Massachusetts high schools, carries an A+ Niche rating and a 9 out of 10 GreatSchools score, and posts average SAT scores of 1360. The district’s math proficiency rate of 73 percent is nearly double the state average of 43 percent. Families with school-age children consistently choose Needham for this reason, and that demand keeps prices climbing.
One couple I helped recently was comparing Wellesley and Needham head to head. When I showed them that Needham had 14 active listings in the $1.5 million to $2 million range compared to only 4 in Wellesley, and that Needham’s price per square foot was lower, the decision practically made itself. They found a renovated Colonial near Greene’s Field within walking distance of French Press Bakery and Cappella Restaurant, and they got roughly 400 more square feet than anything available in Wellesley at the same price.
How the Wealth Index Rankings Differ from Income-Based Rankings in Boston Suburbs
It is worth understanding that not all “wealthiest zip code” lists measure the same thing. The 2025 Boston Business Journal Wealth Index used a broader approach, incorporating per-capita income, owner-occupied housing rates, and home values. Under that methodology, Back Bay (02116) took the top spot with a $1.3 million median home value, followed by the South End, Brookline, and Somerville.
The top 10 on the Wealth Index are all within 10 miles of downtown Boston. This tells you something important: if you measure wealth by home values and density of high earners per capita, urban neighborhoods near the core can rank higher. But if you measure by household income, where families with dual professional incomes settle, the suburbs dominate completely.
For you as a buyer, this distinction matters when you are deciding between an urban condo and a suburban single-family home. The median Needham condo runs just above $1 million, with price per square foot climbing from $380 in 2022 to $548 currently. Meanwhile, the median single-family home commands $2.36 million. Both paths put you inside one of the wealthiest zip codes in the state.
What Living in a Wealthy Massachusetts Zip Code Means for Your Daily Life
Choosing a home in one of these zip codes is not just about status. It translates directly into your everyday experience. In Needham, that means walking down Great Plain Avenue on a Saturday morning, grabbing pastries at French Press Bakery, watching kids cut through Greene’s Field with soccer gear, and catching the commuter rail into Back Bay in 30 to 35 minutes.
With over 252 closed transactions and 130 five-star reviews from past clients, I have seen how these communities transform families’ daily lives. The Needham Town Forest offers wooded trails that feel like they are an hour from civilization even though I-95 is minutes away. Volante Farms, a four-generation family business, keeps residents stocked with fresh produce and homemade ice cream. The Needham Free Public Library anchors community life near the center of town.
Property taxes in Needham run $10.83 per $1,000 of valuation in FY2026, with the average annual single-family tax bill around $16,690. That is a real number you should budget for, but in a town where your home has appreciated 62 percent in four years, the return on that investment speaks for itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Wealthiest Zip Codes in Massachusetts
What is the single wealthiest zip code in Massachusetts by household income?
Weston (02493), Wellesley (02481), Newton/Waban (02468), and Dover (02030) are tied at the top, each reporting median household incomes above $250,000 according to the most recent Census data analysis by the Boston Business Journal. All four are western suburbs of Boston with excellent schools and deep housing stock.
Where does Needham rank among Massachusetts wealthiest zip codes?
Needham’s 02492 zip code ranks 14th in Massachusetts with a median household income of $207,844. That figure is roughly double the state median of $103,960 and places Needham firmly in the top tier of affluent Boston suburbs alongside Winchester and Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Why do Newton villages dominate the wealth rankings?
Newton has 13 distinct villages, four of which rank at the very top for concentrated wealth: Waban, West Newton, Newton Center, and Newton Highlands. The combination of proximity to Boston, village-style living, and some of the highest-performing schools in the state creates sustained demand from high-income households.
Is Needham a good value compared to Wellesley and Newton?
Yes. Needham routinely trades at a 10 to 15 percent discount compared to Newton and Wellesley while matching both communities on school quality, commuter rail access, and overall quality of life. Needham also typically has more inventory available, giving you more options at each price point.
What is the median home price in Needham MA right now?
The median single-family sale price in Needham reached $2,359,500 in early 2026, reflecting a 62 percent increase since 2022. Condos in Needham run just above $1 million at the median, offering an alternative entry point into this community.
How fast do homes sell in Needham MA?
Homes in Needham are currently selling after an average of about 20 days on market, down from 30 days the previous year. In March 2025, 58 percent of homes sold within 30 days, and 38 percent sold above asking price, confirming the strength of buyer demand.
Are the wealthiest zip codes in Massachusetts all in the suburbs?
By median household income, yes. Every zip code in the top 14 is a suburb of Boston. When measured by a broader Wealth Index that includes per-capita income and home values, some urban neighborhoods like Back Bay and the South End also rank highly.
What schools make Needham MA attractive to wealthy families?
Needham High School ranks 21st out of 349 Massachusetts high schools with an A+ Niche rating, 99 percent graduation rate, and average SAT scores of 1360. The district’s overall testing ranking is 10 out of 10, placing it in the top 5 percent of public schools statewide.
What is the commute from Needham to Boston?
Needham has four MBTA Commuter Rail stops: Needham Heights, Needham Center, Needham Junction, and Hersey. The commuter rail reaches Back Bay in approximately 30 to 35 minutes. Needham also sits directly on I-95 and Route 128 for highway commuters.
How much are property taxes in Needham MA?
The FY2026 residential tax rate in Needham is $10.83 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The average single-family tax bill is approximately $16,690 annually, reflecting a 7.5 percent increase driven by rising property values across town.
The Bottom Line on Massachusetts Wealthiest Zip Codes and Your Next Move
The wealthiest zip codes in Massachusetts form a tight ring around Boston, running through Newton’s villages, Winchester, Wellesley Hills, and right through Needham. If you are relocating to the Boston suburbs or evaluating where to buy or sell, this corridor offers the strongest combination of household wealth, school quality, appreciation potential, and quality of life in New England.
As a top real estate broker in Needham, MA, and a RealTrends Top 1.5% agent with 25 years of experience working exclusively in these communities, I can help you navigate the nuances that data alone cannot capture, from which Needham streets command the strongest resale premiums to how to position a competitive offer in a market where well-priced homes move in under three weeks. If you are ready to explore homes for sale in Needham, MA, or any of the surrounding wealthy suburbs, call me at (781) 424-3527 or visit my office at 936 Great Plain Ave in Needham. Let’s find the right fit for your family.
Nancy Moore · Gibson Sotheby's International Realty
Vice President & Associate Broker — Needham & Boston Suburbs
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