Just 5 miles north of downtown Boston, Malden is a small city with a diverse and growing population of about 67,269. Originally inhabited by the Native American Pennacook Tribe and later settled by English Puritans in 1640, Malden is close to Broad Sound and between Interstate 93 and U.S. Route 1. Today, Malden’s workforce is mostly concentrated in the health, service, manufacturing and education industries, and the median household income is approximately $94,781, which is slightly higher than the national median.
Today, Malden has a public and a charter school system, dozens of parks and green spaces and convenient transit options for accessing Boston. The city has also implemented economic policies and incentives to revitalize downtown and attract new businesses near the T station. In addition, road improvements throughout the city have made traffic more manageable for commuters heading into Boston. Malden is also currently transforming the old Malden District Courthouse into a center for arts and culture that would feature exhibits and stage performances. Plans have also been approved to improve Kierstead Park and build a community ice rink for multi-purpose use. “I would say phenomenal changes have occurred in the downtown area over the past 5 years,” says Deborah Burke, who is the director of the city’s Strategic Planning and Community Development department. “We have mixed-use developments all around the two T stations, and we are going to bring in more high tech companies such as Alsym Energy to the city and strengthen local workforce.”
About Malden, MA
Eclectic New England homes in Malden
The median price for a single-family home in Malden is $650,000, lower than Boston’s median home sold price of $727,500. The city has eight neighborhoods, and most are centered around a square that serves as a small commercial hub. Malden Center Historic District is anchored by Salem Street, which is lined with historic buildings from the Victorian Era, including the Converse Memorial Public Library. Malden’s downtown area and Maplewood have lively restaurants and are close to MBTA buses or T stations, which in turn influence area home prices.
Homes here were mostly built between the 1850s and the 1950s, and common housing styles range from Cape Cods, Workers Cottages and American Foursquares to Colonial-inspired or traditional homes built on raised foundations. Single-family properties can list between $500,000 and $1 million, and multi-family homes go from $800,000 to over $1.5 million. Condos start at approximately $300,000 and can fetch $850,000 for a newly built, two-bedroom unit in an upscale condominium.
Public and charter school options
Students in the city may attend Malden Public Schools, which earns an overall B rating from Niche. The district earns an A-plus in student diversity and was named Massachusetts's most diverse school district. “More than 65 languages are spoken in our schools, so this is an extremely diverse community,” Burke says. Malden Public Schools serves approximately 6,100 students with one preschool, five K-8 schools and a public high school. Malden High opened in 1857 and completed a $77 million renovation and upgrade in 2012.
The city is also home to the A-minus Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, which operates on a lottery system for enrollment. Serving over 1,600 students with one preschool, one lower school for grades one through eight and a high school, Mystic Valley is rated by Niche as the No. 7 best charter high school in the state.
International foods and convenient shopping centers
Malden is well known for its food scene. “’Our tagline is “Dine in Malden, and taste the world,” so there are all types of food here,” Burke says. “A good portion of them is in the downtown area, and the rest are all over.” The area around the Malden T station is densely packed with Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants. Irving and Salem Street also feature Mexican restaurants, jazz clubs and coffee shops. The city has many international specialty grocery stores in addition to familiar chains, such as Market Basket. Big-box retailers are spread throughout the city. Assembly Row, a popular outlet mall with upscale designers and eateries, is in Somerville. People can also head to the Encore Hotel and Casino in Everett for concerts, food and table games.
Cultural and holiday festivities
Malden celebrates its cultural diversity with events throughout the year, including a Chinese New Year celebration and a Muslim Festival. The St. Rocco's Feast of Malden, which recognizes the traditions and faith of the Italian Catholic Americans while bringing positive impacts to the community, has been a city-wide tradition for 94 years. Other community events include Halloween week, a summer pub crawl and an open-air festival in the Maplewood neighborhood.
Parks and sports programs abound
Malden has about 30 parks, playgrounds, sports fields and a swimming pool. Fellsmere Park is home to Fellsmere Pond, which is about 25 acres and has a “catch-and-release” fishing program. In addition to walking paths and scenic picnic spots, Pine Banks Park has a playground and athletic fields used by local leagues. The city also utilizes the parks for many community events such as its summer concert series and movie nights. In addition, Malden has an active recreation department that offers fitness classes and sports programs. Middlesex Fells Reservation borders the community with approximately 100 miles of trails for walking and hiking.
Many of Malden High and local sports teams practice at the Macdonald Stadium, which was recently renovated and has a running track and synthetic turf. The local high school and Medford High have had a football rivalry since 1889; it's the second-oldest continuous rivalry in the country.
Public transit and navigating into Boston
Commuters who work in the city can utilize the public transit services provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The MBTA commuter rail Haverhill Line takes people directly to Boston’s North Station. Buses and the T provide additional transit options. Those who drive can take Interstate 93 or Main Street and access both the capital city and the Boston Logan International Airport within 5 to 10 miles. The nearest hospital is Cambridge Health Alliance – Everett Hospital, which is 2 miles away.
Recent crime data for Malden
According to the FBI Crime Data, there was a total of 427 reported violent offenses and 907 property crimes in 2023. Violent crime rates reached a 10-year low in 2022 and has decreased by 46% over the past decade. The Malden Police Department has a variety of initiatives to help protect the residents in the area, including special resources for senior citizens and teenagers.



Neighborhood Map
Malden Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Malden, MA sell after 17 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Malden, MA over the last 12 months is $511,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Average Home Value
Top Schools in Malden, MA
Best Public Elementary Schools
Best Public Middle Schools
Best Public High Schools
Best Private Schools
Agents Specializing in this Area
Agent Spotlight
Juan Jaramillo-
Saad Munir
Torii, Inc.
(774) 458-7735
127 Total Sales
1 in Malden
$560,000 Price
-
Lia Carminati
Be Live in Realty
(617) 500-6025
41 Total Sales
5 in Malden
$408K - $850K Price Range
-
Donald Cranley
Leading Edge Real Estate
(781) 782-2865
28 Total Sales
1 in Malden
$556,000 Price
-
Richard Knox
RF Boston Realty Group
(617) 609-0799
15 Total Sales
1 in Malden
$430,000 Price
-
Brody Murphy Novak Group
Responds QuicklyDouglas Elliman Real Estate - Park Plaza
(781) 661-6002
22 Total Sales
1 in Malden
$435,000 Price
-
Marie Presti
The Presti Group, Inc.
(857) 336-1481
123 Total Sales
2 in Malden
$535K - $740K Price Range
Malden, MA's Best Condo Buildings
-
Featured Condo Building
Wellington Woods
Wellington Woods, completed in 2022, stands as a contemporary addition to the Wellington neighborhood of Medford. This four-story condominium complex, developed by North Shore Residential Development, Inc., houses 200 units, offering residents a blend of suburban tranquility and urban convenience. Located just 15 minutes from Boston, Wellington Woods provides easy access to the city while
Learn More about this Building -
Malden Place Condominiums
Malden Place Condominiums, completed in 2005, is a four-story residential building located in the North Faulkner neighborhood. With 116 units, this building offers a blend of modern amenities and practical living spaces. The building's design is simple and functional, focusing on providing residents with comfortable and convenient living options.
-
Fellsway West Condominium
Fellsway West Condominium, an eight-story brick building completed in 1988, offers a blend of functionality and convenience in the North Medford neighborhood. With 55 units, this condominium provides a range of living spaces suitable for various needs. The building's straightforward design is complemented by balconies on each floor, allowing residents to enjoy views of the surrounding area.
Top Neighborhoods in this City
- Upper Highlands
- Edgeworth
- Oak Grove
- West End
- Belmont
- Linden Highlands
- Waitts Mount
- Maplewood
- Suffolk Square
- North Faulkner
- Forestdale
- Linden
- Maplewood Highlands
- Franklin Park
- Malden Center
- Bellrock