The Pros and Cons of Living in Haverhill, MA

Haverhill gives buyers more square footage for their dollar than most communities in Essex County, and the commuter rail line to Boston's North Station is a real advantage. But the pros and cons of living in Haverhill depend on what you're trading away and what you're gaining, so it's worth looking at the full picture.

What Haverhill Gets Right

Haverhill sits along the Merrimack River in northern Essex County, about 36 miles from Boston. Home prices here run significantly below those in Newburyport or Amesbury, which makes it a serious option for buyers who want a detached house with a yard and can't stretch to $600,000 or more.

The MBTA Haverhill Line stops right in the downtown area, with trains running to North Station on a schedule that works for commuters. That rail access is something many comparable-priced communities in the region can't offer. Downtown Haverhill has also seen sustained redevelopment over the past several years, with restaurants, breweries, and arts venues filling spaces that sat vacant for a long time. Bradford, the neighborhood on the south side of the river, has a different character than downtown and draws buyers seeking a more residential setting away from the city core.

The Trade-Offs You Should Know

Haverhill is a city of about 67,000 people, and it carries the complexities that come with that size. School performance is one of the more common concerns buyers raise. Haverhill Public Schools show mixed results on state assessments, so buyers with school-age children should check the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for current data by school before making a decision.

Parts of the city have older housing stock that requires more maintenance, and some neighborhoods carry higher traffic volume than buyers moving from smaller towns expect. Property taxes are a meaningful line item as well. While the purchase price may be lower than surrounding towns, the tax rate in Haverhill has historically been higher than in smaller nearby communities.

The pros and cons of living in Haverhill ultimately come down to priorities. Buyers who need Boston commuter access at a lower price point will find Haverhill hard to beat. Buyers who put school ratings or neighborhood character at the top of the list may find West Newbury or Groveland worth the additional cost.

What This Means For You

• Haverhill's median home prices are consistently lower than most other Essex County communities with commuter rail access, giving buyers more purchasing power.

• The MBTA Haverhill Line provides direct service to Boston's North Station, which matters significantly for buyers who work in the city.

• School performance varies by school, so review current MCAS scores on the Massachusetts DESE website before choosing a neighborhood.

• Property tax rates in Haverhill tend to run higher than in smaller surrounding towns, which affects your monthly carrying costs even when the purchase price is lower.

If you're comparing Haverhill to other communities in the Greater Newburyport area, you can browse the full range of options on our communities page.