The New England region packs a lot of diversity into a relatively small space. Made up of six states — Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine — all together the area is just a little bigger than the state of Washington. But within that space, you can go from the coast to the mountains in just an hour or two.
New England provides a wide range of living options, from big cities such as Boston, Mass., or Providence, R.I., to suburbs and small towns. You’ll find access to major job markets, strong public schools, and plenty of history and culture.
The cost of living in New England varies widely by state and city. While Boston’s suburbs rank high for schools and safety, they come with higher home prices. And while smaller towns in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine offer residents fewer urban amenities, they also have more space and a lower cost of living.
That range and variety is part of why people move to New England. In this guide, we’ll look at the best places to live in New England across both small towns and cities, whether you’re moving out of state from another part of the country or you’re already located within the region.
How We Chose the Best Places To Live in New England
To identify the best places to live in New England, we looked at a mix of factors that shape daily life, including home prices, rent, school quality, safety, job access, and overall cost of living. We also looked at New England culture, which plays an important role in quality of life.
The final list includes a balanced mix of small towns and cities across all six states. You’ll find nine of the best places to live in New England for families, young adults, retirees, or affordability.
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Best Small Towns in New England To Live
Settled in the 1600s, New England is full of historic, quaint small towns. These places make community, local character, and access to the outdoors top priorities. Keep reading for some of our favorite places that capture quintessential New England at its finest.
1. Essex, CT: Best small town in New England for coastal living
Median home sale price: $612,338
Average rent: $2,100
Don’t miss: Essex Steam Train, Connecticut River Museum, Main Street’s waterfront
Essex is exactly what most people picture when they think of New England coastal living. A big draw is the quaint, picturesque downtown, occupied by locally owned shops, restaurants (including the historic Griswold Inn), and marinas. Housing options include historic colonials, waterfront properties, and well-kept single-family homes.
The town sits along the Connecticut River, about 40 minutes from New Haven and under two hours from New York City. The proximity to cities combined with historic charm makes Essex one of the best small towns in New England to live. Life here centers around the water, which attracts a mix of retirees, second-home buyers, and families. It’s not the most affordable option in the region, but for coastal living with a strong sense of place, it checks many boxes.
2. Rockport, MA: Best small town for families
Median home sale price: $858,672
Average rent: $2,750
Don’t miss: Bearskin Neck, Motif No. 1, Front Beach
Rockport sits at the top of the Cape Ann peninsula, with miles of beautiful beaches and seaside parks. It’s only about 45 minutes from Boston, but it feels much further removed from city life. Built around a harbor, the town is small, walkable, and everything connects back to the water. Living in Massachusetts means there’s an availability of historic housing, and in Rockport you’ll find seaside homes, cottages, and higher-end properties with ocean views (which explains the higher home values).
The town's layout keeps things simple. You can get around easily on foot, and daily life tends to stay close to home. Its ranking as a safe small town with good schools makes Rockport one of the safest cities in New England and best places to live in New England for families. Plus, its proximity to Boston makes it workable for hybrid commuters or those who want occasional access to a larger job market.
3. Warren, RI: Best small town for young professionals
Median home sale price: $535,028
Average rent: $1,900
Don’t miss: Water Street dining, Blount Clam Shack, local breweries
Warren sits along the eastern shore of Narragansett Bay, about 20 minutes from Providence, and offers a more relaxed, less polished feel than nearby coastal towns. Housing is more attainable here as well, with a mix of older single-family homes and multi-family properties, as well as renovated spaces. This helps make it one of the most affordable places to live in New England.
A mix of restaurants and pubs also helps make Warren one of the best places to live in New England for young adults and foodies. Saint Martha and The Love Shack Live Fire Grill serve up local specialties, and pubs such as Stingy Alley and The Guild Brewing Co. provide some nightlife. For anyone looking for access to water without breaking the bank, find your way to Warren.
4. Stowe, VT: Best small town for nature lovers
Median home sale price: $1,052,355
Average rent: $2,984
Don’t miss: Stowe Mountain Resort, Mount Mansfield, fall foliage season
Situated at the base of Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, Stowe is built around the outdoors. It’s about 45 minutes from Burlington, but most of daily life revolves around what’s right outside your door.
Residents enjoy top-tier skiing and snowboarding in the winter, hiking and biking in the warmer months, and leaf-peeping in the fall. You can’t miss the beauty of Smugglers’ Notch — a narrow mountain pass known for its dramatic cliffs and scenic views. The housing market, which offers a mix of ski homes, cabins, and higher-end cabins, reflects how in demand the area has become.
As one of the best places to live in New England for nature lovers, Stowe attracts people who want to be active year-round. It’s not the most practical choice for commuters or people on a budget, but that’s not really the point. People move here for access to the mountains, clean air, and a slower, outdoor-driven lifestyle. Remote workers, retirees, and second-home owners are all drawn by the same thing: easy access to some of the region's best scenery and recreation.
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Best Cities in New England To Live
New England’s cities offer strong job markets, access to public transit, and dense, walkable neighborhoods. Plus, many of the best cities in New England embrace the historic character you find in the region’s small towns, while adding access to employers and cultural amenities.
1. Newton, MA: Best for families
Median home sale price: $1,528,894
Average rent: $3,500
Don’t miss: Crystal Lake, Newton Centre, Jackson Homestead Museum
Newton might sit outside Boston, but it doesn’t feel like a typical suburb. The city is made up of thirteen village centers, including Newtown Corner, Auburndale, and Chestnut Hill. Each village has its own shops, restaurants, and schools, giving it a neighborhood-driven feel. Housing is mostly single-family homes, along with some condos and townhomes, and quiet residential streets are balanced with access to transit and nearby job hubs.
Newton consistently ranks high for its public schools, making it one of the best cities in New England to live for families. If you’re looking for space and stability, without sacrificing access to Boston, this may just be the spot for you.
2. Brookline, MA: Best for professionals
Median home sale price: $1,211,601
Average rent: $4,400
Don’t miss: Coolidge Corner, Longwood Medical Area, Brookline Village
Brookline is more like an extension of Boston rather than a separate suburb. It’s dense, highly walkable, and built around pockets of activity like Coolidge Corner and Brookline Village, where restaurants, shops, and transit are all within reach.
As one of the best cities in New England to live for professionals, Brookline stands out for its convenient location and easy access to the culture and nightlife of Boston. At the same time, the public schools are among the best in the state, which adds long-term appeal for families who can afford it.
3. Portland, ME: Best for lifestyle and culture
Median home sale price: $557,760
Average rent: $2,450
Don’t miss: Old Port, Portland Head Light, waterfront dining
Portland sits about two hours north of Boston. The small city has built a reputation as one of the best food cities in New England. The Old Port is the center of it all, with restaurants, bars, and shops packed into a walkable stretch along the water. Housing is a mix of older homes, apartments, and smaller neighborhoods just outside downtown, so you’re never far from the action.
With Portland, you get a strong food scene, access to the ocean, and plenty of things to do without the headaches of traffic and congestion of a bigger city. It’s a good fit for young professionals, remote workers, or anyone who wants a coastal city that still feels easy to live in day to day. To learn more, check out our guide to Living in Portland.
4. Manchester, NH: Best for affordability
Median home sale price: $435,334
Average rent: $1,895
Don’t miss: Elm Street, SNHU Arena, and the nearby White Mountains
Located about an hour north of Boston, Manchester provides a more attainable entry point than most cities in New England. Elm Street is the main corridor, with restaurants like The Millers Tavern, bars, and local businesses. Surrounding neighborhoods offer a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and older multi-family properties.
This city might not be as polished as some other New England spots, but that’s part of the tradeoff that keeps prices lower. As one of the most affordable places to live in New England, Manchester appeals to buyers and renters who want space and access without stretching their budgets.
5. Providence, RI: Best for arts lovers
Median home sale price: $426,007
Average rent: $2,150
Don’t miss: Federal Hill, WaterFire, RISD Museum
Providence is an unsung hero in the New England world. It’s compact, easy to get around, and built around neighborhoods with distinct character. About an hour from Boston, the town is packed with culture, led by schools like the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University. Housing is a mix of older homes, apartments, and multi-family properties, which keeps options open for renters and first-time buyers.
The arts scene and relative affordability makes Providence one of the best places to live in New England for young adults. Events like WaterFire give the city a unique identity, and there’s enough going on daily with its restaurants, bars, and art galleries to keep things interesting. It’s a good fit for people who want a creative, active city life without Boston-level costs.
Finding the Right Place To Live in New England
The best places to live in New England come down to what you value most — whether that’s coastal living, strong schools, affordability, or access to jobs and culture. From small towns to cities, the region offers a wide range of options that fit a wide variety of lifestyles.
When you move, the right moving services team makes a difference. Colonial Van Lines brings extensive experience in long-distance moving. We handle everything from packing and loading to transportation and unloading. If you’re planning a move to New England, you can get started with a free quote.