What do you look for in an ideal town? Proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches? How about top-ranked schools for your children? Would you like a professional or college sports team nearby, or do you prefer museums and art walks?

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Massachusetts using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.

On the list, there’s a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

• #10. Pelham

  – Population: 1,283
  – Median home value: $334,500 (73% own)
  – Median rent: $1,479 (27% rent)
  – Median household income: $94,479
  – Top public schools: Amherst Regional High School (A+), Pelham Elementary School (A), Amherst Regional Middle School (A-)

• #9. Acton

  – Population: 23,627
  – Median home value: $581,400 (74% own)
  – Median rent: $1,450 (26% rent)
  – Median household income: $141,665
  – Top public schools: Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (A+), Raymond J. Grey Junior High School (A+), Paul P. Gates Elementary School (A+)
  – Top private schools: The Victor School, Acton KinderCare, Hayward Road KinderCare

• #8. Wellesley

  – Population: 28,747
  – Median home value: $1,149,100 (81% own)
  – Median rent: $1,938 (19% rent)
  – Median household income: $197,132
  – Top public schools: Wellesley Senior High School (A+), John D. Hardy Elementary School (A+), Sprague Elementary School (A+)
  – Top private schools: Dana Hall School (A+), Tenacre Country Day School (B), St. John the Evangelist School

• #7. Belmont

  – Population: 26,113
  – Median home value: $859,600 (65% own)
  – Median rent: $2,002 (35% rent)
  – Median household income: $129,380
  – Top public schools: Belmont High School (A+), Mary Lee Burbank School (A+), Daniel Butler School (A+)
  – Top private schools: Belmont Hill School (A+), Waldorf High School of Massachusetts Bay (A+), Belmont Day School (A)

• #6. Newton

  – Population: 88,593
  – Median home value: $914,700 (72% own)
  – Median rent: $1,940 (28% rent)
  – Median household income: $151,068
  – Top public schools: Newton North High School (A+), Newton South High School (A+), Burr Elementary School (A+)
  – Top private schools: Newton Country Day School (A+), Brimmer and May School (A+), Mount Alvernia High School (A-)

• #5. Cochituate

  – Population: 7,226
  – Median home value: $648,600 (89% own)
  – Median rent: $784 (11% rent)
  – Median household income: $162,390
  – Top public schools: Wayland High School (A+), Wayland Middle School (A+), Loker Kindergarten School (A+)
  – Top private schools: Veritas Christian Academy, Barat Montessori School, Bright Horizons at Wayland

• #4. Lexington

  – Population: 33,340
  – Median home value: $889,700 (82% own)
  – Median rent: $2,475 (18% rent)
  – Median household income: $186,201
  – Top public schools: Lexington High School (A+), William Diamond Middle School (A+), Maria Hastings Elementary School (A+)
  – Top private schools: Lexington Christian Academy (A+), Lexington Montessori School (A+), Waldorf School of Lexington

• #3. Cambridge

  – Population: 116,632
  – Median home value: $768,300 (35% own)
  – Median rent: $2,221 (65% rent)
  – Median household income: $103,154
  – Top public schools: Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (A+), John M. Tobin Montessori School (A), The Andrew Peabody School (A)
  – Top private schools: Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (A+), International School of Boston (A+), The Cambridge Matignon School (A)

• #2. Wayland

  – Population: 13,802
  – Median home value: $711,500 (91% own)
  – Median rent: $1,051 (9% rent)
  – Median household income: $185,375
  – Top public schools: Wayland High School (A+), Wayland Middle School (A+), Loker Kindergarten School (A+)
  – Top private schools: Veritas Christian Academy, Barat Montessori School, Bright Horizons at Wayland

• #1. Brookline

  – Population: 59,180
  – Median home value: $933,200 (49% own)
  – Median rent: $2,268 (51% rent)
  – Median household income: $117,326
  – Top public schools: Brookline High School (A+), Heath School (A+), Pierce School (A+)
  – Top private schools: Beaver Country Day School (A+), Dexter Southfield School (A+), Maimonides School (A+)

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