# Peabody, MA Neighborhood Guide: The Perfect North Shore Haven for Young Families
Is Peabody, MA a good place to raise a family?
Yes. Peabody, MA gives young families a safe, welcoming suburban home base, with quiet residential streets, a full public school system from pre-K through grade 12, and everyday conveniences just minutes away. Its crime rate sits below both the state and national averages. And it has more parks, playgrounds, and youth programs than most first-time visitors expect.
Peabody sits in the heart of the North Shore. It grew up around the tanning trade, which is why locals still lovingly call it the "Leather City." These days, though, family life here has a lot less to do with factories and a lot more to do with Saturday soccer and evening strolls under mature maples. Whenever we tour homes with young families, we hear the same observations: neighbors wave, kids ride bikes on the sidewalks, and the whole city feels settled and genuinely lived-in.
Residents seem to agree. On Niche, Peabody holds an overall rating of 3.94 across 106 reviews, and the vast majority of those reviews land at 4 or 5 stars.
How safe is Peabody, MA compared to nearby towns?
Peabody's total crime rate is 1,091.6 per 100,000 residents. That's below the Massachusetts rate of 1,426.8 and roughly 48% below the national average.
If you're weighing your options on the North Shore, the local comparison tells a reassuring story:
•Lynn: 1,745.2 per 100K
•Salem: 1,706.0 per 100K
•Saugus: 1,651.8 per 100K
•Peabody: 1,091.6 per 100K
Most of the crime reported in Peabody is property-related, with larceny making up the bulk of it. And much of that clusters around the busy retail corridors, not the residential side streets where families actually live. Peabody recorded 0 murders in the most recent reporting data. A few neighbors, like Beverly and Wakefield, do post lower overall rates. But Peabody strikes a balance of safety, space, and value that families often can't find in those towns at the same price.
What are the schools like in Peabody, MA?
Peabody Public Schools serve students from pre-K through grade 12. The state classifies the district as "Not requiring assistance or intervention," and several elementary schools perform well compared to similar schools statewide.
On nearly every Peabody home tour, parents ask the same question: which elementary school does this house feed into? It's a smart thing to ask, because performance varies across the district. Under the state's 2026 accountability data, three elementary schools rise to the top:
•South Memorial: 66th percentile
•West Memorial: 63rd percentile
•John E. Burke: 58th percentile
All three, South Memorial, West Memorial, and Burke, also earn a 7/10 GreatSchools rating.
Peabody, MA School Accountability Percentiles
For young families comparing elementary and secondary options, this chart highlights 2026 accountability percentiles for Peabody, MA schools. In article copy, bold both the school data values and other numerical data points, such as South Memorial: **66th percentile** and West Memorial: **63rd percentile**.
Elementary Schools
Middle Schools
High Schools
| Series | Label | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary Schools | Captain Samuel Brown | 22 |
| Middle Schools | J Henry Higgins Middle | 12 |
| Elementary Schools | John E Burke | 58 |
| Elementary Schools | John E. McCarthy | 29 |
| High Schools | Peabody Veterans Memorial High | 9 |
| Elementary Schools | South Memorial | 66 |
| Elementary Schools | West Memorial | 63 |
The middle and high school levels have more room to grow. The district's four-year graduation rate was 83.7% for 2025, and it's making moderate progress toward its improvement targets. The good news? The city is putting real money behind its schools. The proposed FY27 school budget is $101,967,320, a 2.94% increase over the prior year.
Families hoping for the strongest elementary match often narrow their search to the attendance zones around West Memorial and South Memorial. Outside the classroom, kids have plenty to keep them busy, from youth sports to arts and enrichment through city recreation, the library, and local leagues.
How does Peabody, MA score on overall family lifestyle?
Peabody scores high for housing, amenities, jobs, and education. Affordability and commute are the two areas families should plan for most carefully.
That matches what we see on the ground. Shopping, dining, and services are all close by, and the housing stock is solid and built for families. Like the rest of Greater Boston, though, budgets and drive times take some forethought. One bright spot: residents often describe Peabody's property taxes as low compared to surrounding towns. For FY26, the city projected an average residential tax increase of about $415.
What types of homes can young families find in Peabody, MA?
Peabody's family neighborhoods are filled with classic New England single-family homes: Cape Cods, Colonials, split-levels, and Ranches. Most come with a private yard and room for a swing set and a garden.
What is the single-family home market like in Peabody, MA right now?
As of August 2026, the median sale price for a single-family home in Peabody was $700,000, according to MLSPIN data. Homes sold in a median of 21 days, and the market had just 1.8 months of supply. That month saw 52 active single-family listings and 25 closed sales.
Put simply, sellers still have the edge. Well-presented homes in strong school zones go fast. Come prepared with a pre-approval and a clear list of priorities, and you'll be in a much better position.
Peabody, MA Single-Family Market Snapshot — August 2026
MLSPIN single-family data shows a tight August 2026 market for Peabody, MA: a $700,000 median sold price, 21 median days on market, 1.8 months of supply, 52 active listings, and 25 closed sales.
Single-Family — August 2026
Median sold price$700,000
Median days on market21 days
Months of supply1.8 months
Active listings52
Closed sales25
Source:Repliers / MLSPIN
Monthly median prices dipped from January to February during the slower winter stretch of early 2026. By August, they'd bounced back to $700,000. For buyers, that steadiness is comforting. Peabody isn't a speculative market, but it isn't standing still, either.
Peabody, MA Single-Family Monthly Median Price Trend
This corrected trend uses only monthly median sale prices, not year-to-date figures. It shows a winter dip from January 2026 to February 2026, followed by a recovery to $700,000 by August 2026.
| Series | Label | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Median Sales Price | January 2026 | $670,000 |
| Monthly Median Sales Price | February 2026 | $622,500 |
| Monthly Median Sales Price | August 2026 | $700,000 |
If a single-family home feels like a stretch right now, condos and townhouses offer a gentler way in. As of August 2026, that segment had a median sale price of $522,500, a median of 35 days on market, and 4.9 months of supply. Translation: more choice, and more breathing room to decide.
What architectural styles and lot sizes are typical in Peabody, MA?
Peabody's housing leans toward mid-century and postwar single-family homes, with lots commonly ranging from about a quarter-acre to a half-acre or more, especially in West Peabody.
Here's what families will typically find:
•Cape Cods: The classic starter home, often with room to expand into the dormers or attic.
•Ranches: Single-level living that works beautifully for families with toddlers and for multigenerational households.
•Split-levels and raised ranches: Flexible lower levels that easily become playrooms or home offices.
•Colonials: Larger and often newer, concentrated in West Peabody subdivisions.
West Peabody is usually the first stop for families. Its established subdivisions offer quiet cul-de-sacs, little through-traffic, and generous yards. South Peabody and the areas around Lakeshore Park and Mack Park have a more traditional neighborhood grid at somewhat friendlier price points. In fact, Mack Park and Lakeshore Park both made Nextdoor's 2026 list of the city's friendliest neighborhoods.
Where do families gather in Peabody, MA?
Peabody families gather at Brooksby Farm, along the Independence Greenway, in neighborhood parks, and around the revitalized downtown and the Northshore Mall.
What are the best family-friendly spots in Peabody, MA?
Brooksby Farm is the heart of family life in Peabody. This historic, city-owned farm has apple picking, barnyard animals, a playground, and seasonal events all year. Right now, in October, it's at its busiest, with weekend mornings full of pumpkin-loaded wagons and kids clutching cider donuts.
A few other local favorites:
•The Independence Greenway: A paved, scenic trail that's perfect for strollers, training wheels, and family bike rides.
•Neighborhood parks and conservation land: Ponds, wooded trails, and playing fields are scattered throughout the city.
•Downtown Peabody: Leather City Common hosts community events, with family-friendly restaurants and local shops close by.
•Northshore Mall: A dependable rainy-day escape for errands, lunch, and a little window shopping.
And on summer nights, it's hard to beat a cone from Treadwell's Ice Cream . It's a longtime local tradition, and you'll almost certainly bump into a neighbor or two.
How is the commute from Peabody, MA to Boston?
Most Peabody commuters either drive using I-95/Route 128 and Route 1, or take the MBTA Commuter Rail from nearby Salem or Beverly to North Station in about 30 minutes. Residents say the drive into Boston takes roughly 30 minutes outside of rush hour.
What highways and train stations serve Peabody, MA?
Peabody doesn't have its own Commuter Rail stop, but the Newburyport/Rockport Line stations in Salem and Beverly are just a short drive away.
•By car: I-95/Route 128 runs right through Peabody, connecting to Burlington, Woburn, and the Route 128 tech corridor. Route 1 heads south toward Boston.
•By train: Salem Station has a parking garage and frequent trains to North Station. Beverly Depot is another solid option.
•By bus: MBTA routes, including the 435, 436, and 465, link Peabody Square with Lynn, Salem, and Danvers, connecting to the train and to the Blue Line via Lynn.
When is traffic worst for Peabody, MA commuters?
Residents say traffic starts building as early as 2:00 PM and lingers until around 6:30 PM, especially near Route 114 and the mall area. Many working parents shape their schedules around that window or hop on the train for downtown jobs. Since commute is one of Peabody's softer scores, it's worth test-driving your route at rush hour before making an offer.
Is Peabody, MA the right fit for your family?
If you're looking for a safe, friendly community, a real backyard, and a seat at the apple-picking table every fall, Peabody delivers. Know which school zone fits your priorities, be ready to move in a fast market, and map out your commute ahead of time. Do that, and Peabody can easily become the place your kids proudly call home.
