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Data on this report is based on areas within the legal city boundary, outlined in black on the map. Any additional neighborhoods shown on the map are associated with the city by name and are included for reference only.



Needham, MA Real Estate Market

Source & Methodology

Analytics built by:   Location, Inc.

Raw data sources:   American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Date(s) & Update Frequency:
  • Home Values, Rents: Reflects Q4 2023. Updated quarterly.
  • Setting, Housing Stock, Homeownership: 2022 (latest available). Updated annually.

Methodology:   NeighborhoodScout uses over 600 characteristics to build a neighborhood profile… Read more about Scout's Real Estate Data

Needham, MA Housing Market Trends

With 32,114 people, 11,312 houses or apartments, and a median cost of homes of $1,247,735, Needham house prices are not only among the most expensive in Massachusetts, Needham real estate also is some of the most expensive in all of America.

Single-family detached homes are the single most common housing type in Needham, accounting for 77.34% of the town's housing units. Other types of housing that are prevalent in Needham include large apartment complexes or high rise apartments ( 12.78%), row houses and other attached homes ( 5.94%), and a few duplexes, homes converted to apartments or other small apartment buildings ( 3.84%).

Owner-occupied, three and four bedroom dwellings, primarily in single-family detached homes are the most prevalent type of housing you will see in Needham. Owner-occupied housing accounts for 83.88% of Needham's homes, and 63.61% have either three or four bedrooms, which is average sized relative to America.

At the end of World War II, American soldiers returned home triumphant and, with the help of the GI Bill, built homes by the millions on the edges of America's cities. These homes were predominantly capes and ranches, modest in size, but built to house a growing middle-class as the 20th century became the American century. Needham's housing was primarily built during this period, from the '40s through the '60s. A full 38.31% of the town's housing hails from this era. Other housing ages represented in Needham include homes built between 1970-1999 ( 21.99%) and housing constructed between 2000 and later ( 20.46%). There's also some housing in Needham built before 1939 ( 19.24%).

Needham Home Appreciation Rates

Needham's appreciation rate notably has been below the national average for the last ten years. The average annual home appreciation rate in Needham during the period has been just 4.89%, which is lower than 70% of US communities.

NeighborhoodScout's data show that during the latest twelve months, Needham's appreciation rate, at 6.13%, has been at or slightly above the national average. In the latest quarter, Needham's appreciation rate has been 1.11%, which annualizes to a rate of 4.52%.

Relative to Massachusetts, our data show that Needham's latest annual appreciation rate is lower than 70% of the other cities and towns in Massachusetts.

One very important thing to keep in mind is that these are average appreciation rates for the town. Individual neighborhoods within Needham differ in their investment potential, sometimes by a great deal. Fortunately, you can use NeighborhoodScout to pinpoint the exact neighborhoods in Needham - or in any city or town - that have the best track record of real estate appreciation, by the latest quarter, the last year, 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, or even since 2000, to assist you in making the best Needham real estate investment or home purchase decisions.

Average Home Values

Median Home Value

$1,247,735

Needham, MA Home Prices
> $1,187,000
$890,001 - $1,187,000
$593,001 - $890,000
$475,001 - $593,000
$356,001 - $475,000
$237,001 - $356,000
$119,001 - $237,000
$59,001 - $119,000
$0 - $59,000
57.5%
57.5%
26.5%
26.5%
10.3%
10.3%
1.6%
1.6%
1.1%
1.1%
1.5%
1.5%
0.8%
0.8%
0.4%
0.4%
0.2%
0.2%
0% 100.0%
% of Homes
Very High

for Massachusetts

Very High

for nation

Number of Homes And Apartments:

11,312

Needham Appreciation Rates

Rent & Ownership

Average Market Rent:

$4,706 / per month

Homeownership Rate

Owners
Renters
83.9%
83.9%
16.1%
16.1%
0% 100.0%
% of Homes

Vacancy Rate

Vacant
Occupied
3.4%
3.4%
96.6%
96.6%
0% 100.0%
% of Homes

Housing Market Details

Age of Homes

2000 or Newer
1970 - 1999
1940 - 1969
1939 or Older
20.5%
20.5%
22.0%
22.0%
38.3%
38.3%
19.2%
19.2%
0% 100.0%
% of Homes

Types of Homes

Single-Family
Townhomes
Small Apt. Buildings
Apt. Complexes
Mobile Homes
Other
77.3%
77.3%
5.9%
5.9%
3.8%
3.8%
12.8%
12.8%
0.1%
0.1%
0.0%
0.0%
0% 100.0%
% of Homes

Home Size

No Bedroom
1 Bedroom
2 Bedrooms
3 Bedrooms
4 Bedrooms
5 or more bedrooms
1.6%
1.6%
6.5%
6.5%
12.1%
12.1%
31.7%
31.7%
31.9%
31.9%
16.3%
16.3%
0% 100.0%
% of Homes