Brookline

Brookline, Massachusetts Overview

Brookline ranks #2 of 20 cities in Massachusetts, earning a A+ grade with a composite score of 69.5/100. The city stands out in Safety (96/100) and Education (91/100), placing it among the state’s strongest performers across the metrics we track.

Income & Employment in Brookline

The median household income in Brookline is $140,631, 39% above the statewide median of $101,370.

Safety in Brookline

Brookline’s violent crime rate of 67.2 per 100,000 is well below both the Massachusetts rate of 345 and national norms, making safety one of the city’s defining features. The property crime rate is 856.2 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Brookline

The median home value is $1,233,100. Median monthly rent is $2,804. Renters spend 23.9% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline. The price-to-income ratio of 8.8x suggests home buyers face a stretched market.

Health & Wellness in Brookline

Brookline’s adult obesity rate of 20.6% is below the national average, contributing to stronger health outcomes. The diabetes prevalence rate is 7%. Residents average 13.6 poor mental health days per month. Massachusetts ranks #2 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Brookline

Brookline’s high school graduation rate of 94% is well above average, reflecting strong local school performance. The student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Local districts invest $27,892 per student, well above the national median. The city has 10 public schools serving 5,909 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Brookline

The annual average temperature in Brookline is 52.2°F. Summers average 69.6°F. Winters average 36.2°F. Precipitation is abundant at 56.1 inches per year. 23.4% of workers in Brookline work from home, well above the national average. 22.3% of commuters use public transit.

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