Nature, convenience and suburban living about 20 miles south of Boston
Canton serves as a tranquil bedroom community for those wanting proximity to Boston, which lies 20 miles north, paired with the peace and quiet that comes with living in a place removed from the urban center. This suburban community offers residents highly rated schools, convenient restaurants and a variety of community events. Locals have their pick of outdoor recreation at the foot of the Blue Hills, between the forests, ski terrain and golf courses; at the same time, they are within relatively easy driving distance of all that the city of Boston has to offer. “Canton is a convenient location and a nice area for families to grow,” says Thomas Hetzel, a Coldwell Banker real estate agent who has sold in the area for three decades and is a longtime resident of Easton, just south of Canton. “You’re two to three miles from the main highway – Interstate 95 – and walking distance from the commuter train station. Schools and nice shopping areas right up the street are also within walking distance.”
Canton’s varied residential landscape
Cul-de-sacs are lined with split-level, Colonial Revival and Cape Cod homes. Single-family home prices depend on size and age: Homes under 1,000 square feet and those that qualify as fixer-uppers tend to start around $350,000, whereas luxury estates with multicar garages sitting on an acre or more can peak at $2.5 million. A three-to-five-bedroom built in the mid-20th century typically costs about $800,000, which is also the median single-family home price in the community. Townhouses and condos range from about $270,000 to $900,000, depending on age and size; some are part of a 55-plus community, where prices typically range from around $260,000 to $620,000, though some units can exceed $1 million. Most multifamily home prices fall in the $800,000s. The housing market is stable, according to Hetzel, and average home values are steadily rising.
Highly regarded Canton Public Schools
Students in the area can attend Canton Public Schools, which receives an A-minus rating from Niche. John F. Kennedy Elementary, rated A-minus, is one of three elementary schools serving Canton. Students may then advance to William H. Galvin Middle School, rated B-plus and Canton High School, rated A. Actor and comedian Bill Burr hails from Canton and graduated from Canton High. St. John the Evangelist serves prekindergartners through middle schoolers; the private school was established in 1883 and is not rated on Niche.
Interstates and public transportation in the greater Boston area
Route 138 runs north-south through Canton and leads into Boston. Interstates 93 and 95 also cross through the area, facilitating commutes into Boston and Providence, which are around 20 and 30 miles away, respectively. Traffic into Boston can be heavy, especially during rush hour, so some residents opt to take the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's commuter trains to and from work; there are several train stops in the community. Additionally, local MBTA buses serve the area, and bus stops are within walking distance of some homes. Private aircraft take off from Norwood Memorial Airport, less than four miles away, and Boston Logan International Airport is 20 miles away. South Shore Hospital is about 15 miles east.
From skiing to zip lining: recreation in Norfolk County
One of Canton’s biggest hotspots for outdoor recreation is the Blue Hills Ski Area. In addition to the beginner-friendly ski slopes and tubing hill, this local ski destination also has lighted trails for night skiing and a newly overhauled snowmaking facility. The adjacent Blue Hills Reservation spans 7,000 acres; hikers and mountain bikers can summit Great Blue Hill to see the Boston skyline. For those who prefer to hit the fairways, Canton also has several golf courses and country clubs. In warmer months, kayakers can launch from the Earl Newhouse Waterfront to explore Reservoir Pond. TreeTop Adventures is a ropes course where folks of all ages can zipline and conquer family-friendly obstacles in the woods. Wollaston Beach, a public beach along the Quincy Shore, is 15 miles away.
Canton’s watering holes, shopping hubs and local eateries
Canton is home to the corporate headquarters of Dunkin’, one of the largest coffee chains in the world and the favorite morning pick-me-up for many local residents. For those coffee aficionados, there are plenty of Dunkin’ locations in the community. The Dunkin’ headquarters is located near Trillium Brewing Company, a local chain featuring draft beers, freshly baked pizzas, a large outdoor patio and live music on Friday evenings. Washington Street is lined with locally owned restaurants like Waterfall Bar & Grille, which overlooks a small manmade waterfall cascading into a pond. A few national retail chains, including a combined Marshalls and HomeGoods location, can be found at The Village Shoppes. Grocery stores in the area include Shaw’s and Wegmans.
Activities in Canton centered around nature, culture and the community
Canton is the hometown of Paul Revere, known for his role in the early days of the American Revolution; however, The Paul Revere Museum of Discovery and Innovation, opening in 2025, emphasizes the lesser-known entrepreneurial side of the historic figure, an accomplished industrialist and silversmith. Outings in Canton may also include strolling through the gardens at The Bradley Estate, a stately 20th-century country home with a greenhouse, ponds and manicured fields. The Blue Hills Trailside Museum welcomes nature lovers to a natural history museum with live native animal exhibits of otters, owls and deer. The Canton Public Library organizes book clubs, a Library 5K Fun Run and the Open Book Coffeehouse, a series of live music performances.
Important to know about Canton
The region experiences all four seasons, with chilly winters and relatively mild summers. Some parts of Canton may experience noise from interstate traffic or passing commuter trains. The CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10 across most areas, lower than the national average of 4.
