Living in Brookline, MA: A Local Guide to One of Greater Boston's Most Desirable Communities
Brookline, Massachusetts is consistently ranked among the best places to live in Greater Boston, offering a unique blend of historic New England charm, vibrant village centers, exceptional public schools, and easy access to downtown Boston. Located just west of the city, Brookline attracts professionals, families, medical professionals, academics, and international buyers who want an urban lifestyle with the character and greenery of a residential community.
Brookline borders Boston, Newton, Brighton, Jamaica Plain, and West Roxbury, making it one of the most convenient suburbs for commuters. Residents enjoy direct access to downtown via the MBTA Green Line (C and D branches), the E branch along Huntington Avenue, numerous bus routes, and nearby Route 9 and Interstate 95.
One of Brookline's defining features is its collection of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own personality.
Brookline Village offers walkable streets filled with restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and historic homes.
Coolidge Corner is the heart of Brookline's shopping and dining scene, home to independent bookstores, local businesses, the iconic Coolidge Corner Theatre, and a lively year-round atmosphere.
Washington Square is known for its excellent restaurants, cafés, and convenient Green Line access.
Chestnut Hill features luxury homes, estate properties, private schools, golf courses, and upscale shopping at The Street Chestnut Hill and Chestnut Hill Square.
Pill Hill, Fisher Hill, Longwood, and North Brookline offer beautiful architecture, quiet residential streets, and easy access to Boston's medical and educational institutions.
Brookline offers one of the most diverse housing markets in Massachusetts.
Homebuyers can find:
Architectural preservation is a hallmark of Brookline, with many neighborhoods featuring tree-lined streets, mature landscaping, and carefully maintained historic homes alongside thoughtfully designed modern residences.
Brookline is nationally recognized for its strong public school system. The Public Schools of Brookline consistently rank among the top districts in Massachusetts, with excellent elementary schools, innovative academic programming, and the highly regarded Brookline High School.
The town is also home to several respected private schools and is minutes from world-renowned universities including Harvard University, Boston University, and Boston College.
Brookline offers one of the most walkable lifestyles in Greater Boston. Residents enjoy hundreds of locally owned restaurants, bakeries, cafés, specialty markets, fitness studios, and boutique shops.
Popular destinations include:
Whether you're looking for fine dining, casual neighborhood cafés, farmers markets, or scenic walking paths, Brookline offers an exceptional quality of life.
Brookline is especially popular with physicians, researchers, and professionals working in the Longwood Medical Area, downtown Boston, Cambridge, and the Seaport.
Typical commute times include:
Homebuyers are drawn to Brookline for its combination of architectural beauty, highly rated schools, walkable village centers, convenient public transportation, and proximity to Boston. The town appeals to first-time buyers, growing families, downsizers, physicians, executives, and those relocating from other states or countries.
For many buyers, Brookline offers the rare opportunity to enjoy an established neighborhood with timeless homes, excellent amenities, and strong long-term property values—all within minutes of the cultural, educational, and employment opportunities of Boston.
If you're considering buying or selling a home in Brookline, working with an agent who understands each neighborhood's character, pricing trends, schools, and market dynamics can make all the difference.
62,822 people live in Brookline, where the median age is 35 and the average individual income is $94,739. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Average individual Income
There's plenty to do around Brookline, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Roadside Wrap House, Boston Wine School, and Stuart Books.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 0.37 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining | 1.2 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 0.95 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 1.16 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.41 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.41 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.48 miles | 18 reviews | 4.6/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.6 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.6 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.65 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.86 miles | 1 review | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.86 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.94 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.97 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.98 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.16 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.26 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.3 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Nightlife | 1.02 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.37 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.89 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.12 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.16 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
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Brookline has 27,210 households, with an average household size of 2.26. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Brookline do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 62,822 people call Brookline home. The population density is 9,293 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
0-9 Years
10-17 Years
18-24 Years
25-64 Years
65-74 Years
75+ Years
Education Level
Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
With Children:
Without Children:
Marital Status
Blue vs White Collar Workers
Blue Collar:
White Collar:
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