Greater Boston · Town guide
Living in Wellesley, MA.
A high-end suburb west of Boston with three commuter rail villages, Wellesley College and Babson College, Lake Waban, and one of the region's highest-priced single-family markets.
Wellesley at a glance
- Median single-family
- $2,400,000
- ▲ 8.6% vs. last year
- Median condo
- $1,142,500
- ▼ 20.9% vs. last year
- Days on market
- 43
- single-family, year to date
- Sale vs. original list
- 99.2%
- single-family, year to date
- Residential tax rate
- $10.17
- per $1,000, FY2026
- Population
- 31,242
- 2024 Census estimate, +6.2% since 2020
- To Boston
- 13 mi
- straight line to City Hall
- MBTA rail & ferry
- Commuter rail
Wellesley market · September 2026 year to date
The numbers, before the opinions.
| Measure | Single-family | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $2,400,000 | $1,142,500 |
| Change vs. last year | ▲ 8.6% | ▼ 20.9% |
| Sales closed | 196 | 40 |
| Median days on market | 43 | 47 |
| Sale price vs. original list | 99.2% | 97.9% |
| For sale at month end | 56 | 5 |
| Months of supply | 2.6 | 1.2 |
Source: Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, Wellesley Local Market Update (PDF, opens in a new tab) (MLS PIN data). Year-to-date figures except homes for sale and months of supply, which are for the latest month. A town median is a starting point; the right price is street by street.
What the numbers mean
Buying or selling in Wellesley?
By the usual rule of thumb (under about four months of supply favors sellers, over six favors buyers), the Wellesley single-family market was seller-leaning, with 2.6 months of supply in the latest MAR report and homes selling for 99.2% of original list price on average. Individual streets, price ranges and property types can behave very differently.
If you're selling in Wellesley
- Homes in Wellesley have sold for about 99.2% of their original list price on average, close to asking. Pricing near the market from day one is what keeps you there.
- The median single-family home took about 43 days to sell. Plan your next move around that, plus about 30 to 60 days to close.
If you're buying in Wellesley
- Most Wellesley homes sell close to asking (99.2% of original list on average), so there's some room to negotiate, but rarely a lot on homes priced right.
- With a median of about 43 days on market, you'll usually have time for a second showing, but not forever.
- Condos in Wellesley had a median of $1,142,500 versus $2,400,000 for single-families. If the single-family budget is a stretch, a condo or a two-family can be a way in.
Side by side · September 2026 year to date
How does Wellesley compare with nearby towns?
| Town | Median single-family | Median condo | Days on market | Tax rate (FY2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellesley | $2,400,000 ▲ 8.6% | $1,142,500 | 43 | $10.17 |
| Needham | $1,825,000 ▲ 0.3% | $1,223,900 | 43 | $10.83 |
| Newton | $1,880,000 ▼ 3.8% | $1,090,000 | 40 | $9.69 |
| Waltham | $870,000 ▼ 3.3% | $697,500 | 37 | $10.32 |
| Dedham | $770,000 ▼ 4.3% | $511,000 | 34 | $12.30 |
| Watertown | $1,160,000 ▲ 13.2% | $725,000 | 28 | $12.20 |
Year-to-date medians from each town's MAR Local Market Update; tax rates per $1,000 from the Mass. Division of Local Services. Nearby = closest town centers among the towns I cover.
Town guide
What it's like to live in Wellesley.
What is it like to live in Wellesley?
Wellesley is a suburb west of Newton, home to Wellesley College and Babson College. It's organized around village centers, including Wellesley Square, Wellesley Hills and Wellesley Farms, each near a commuter rail stop.
What are Wellesley's neighborhoods like?
A quick orientation, not a ranking:
| Area | What it's like | Worth a look if you want |
|---|---|---|
| Wellesley Square | The main shopping center and a train stop | Walkability |
| Wellesley Hills | A village center near Route 9 and the train | Village feel with transit |
| Wellesley Farms | Quiet residential area around its own train stop | A residential setting near the train |
| Areas near Lake Waban and the colleges | Homes near the lake and campuses | Open space and walking paths |
What does housing look like in Wellesley?
Mostly single-family, from older colonials and Tudors to significant new construction. Condos are limited. Prices are among the highest in the region.
How is the commute from Wellesley to Boston?
The Framingham/Worcester Line stops at Wellesley Farms, Wellesley Hills and Wellesley Square. Route 9, Route 16 and Route 128 are the main roads.
Where do people spend time in Wellesley?
- Lake Waban and the paths around Wellesley College
- Elm Bank Reservation
- Wellesley Square
What should buyers and sellers know about Wellesley?
- Land value: many sales are teardowns; check zoning and permits.
- Very high prices: compare in the table above.
- Pricing: homes have sold close to list on average.
For public school information, see the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's school and district profiles (Wellesley Public Schools).
Questions people actually ask.
Does Wellesley have a train?
Yes, three stops on the Framingham/Worcester Line.
Are there condos in Wellesley?
A limited number, mostly in specific developments.
MBTA stations in Wellesley
- Commuter rail: Wellesley Farms, Wellesley Hills, Wellesley Square (Framingham/Worcester Line)
Mortgage rates · week of October 15, 2026
What today's rate means for your payment in Wellesley.
The average 30-year fixed rate this week is 7.40%. On Wellesley's median single-family price of $2,400,000 with 20% down (a $1,920,000 loan), here's the monthly principal and interest, and how much a rate move changes it.
| Scenario | 30-year rate | Principal & interest | vs. this week |
|---|---|---|---|
| A year ago | 6.27% | $11,850/mo | −$1,450/mo |
| This week | 7.40% | $13,290/mo | |
| If rates rise half a point | 7.90% | $13,950/mo | +$660/mo |
| If rates fall half a point | 6.90% | $12,650/mo | −$650/mo |
| If rates fall a full point | 6.40% | $12,010/mo | −$1,280/mo |
Rate source: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (opens in a new tab), national weekly average. Principal and interest only; taxes, insurance and any condo fees are extra (use the calculator below). Your actual rate depends on your credit, loan type and points. Ask a lender for a quote, or ask me for an introduction.
Monthly cost calculator
What would a Wellesley home cost per month?
Pre-filled with Wellesley's median single-family price, its FY2026 tax rate and this week's average 30-year mortgage rate. Change anything. This is an estimate for planning, not a loan quote.
How I help in Wellesley
Three ways to start.
Buy in Wellesley
What homes here actually sell for, what they cost to own, and an offer strategy you can defend.
Buying with XavierSell in Wellesley
A price grounded in Wellesley sales, a plan for what to fix, and a clear read on every offer.
Get a home valuationInvest in Wellesley
Two- and three-families run as numbers: rents, expenses, financing, and condition.
Multifamily & investingQuick answers about Wellesley.
What is the median home price in Wellesley, MA?
The median single-family sale price in Wellesley was $2,400,000 for September 2026 year to date, compared with $2,210,000 for the same period a year earlier. The median condo sold for $1,142,500. Source: Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MLS PIN data).
How fast are homes selling in Wellesley?
Single-family homes that sold in Wellesley during September 2026 year to date spent a median of about 43 days on market and sold for 99.2% of their original list price on average, according to MAR.
What is the property tax rate in Wellesley, MA?
Wellesley's FY2026 residential property tax rate is $10.17 per $1,000 of assessed value (Massachusetts Division of Local Services). On a home assessed at the median single-family sale price, that's roughly $24,410 a year; your actual bill depends on the assessed value.
Is it a buyer's or seller's market in Wellesley, MA?
By the usual rule of thumb (under about four months of supply favors sellers, over six favors buyers), the Wellesley single-family market was seller-leaning, with 2.6 months of supply in the latest MAR report and homes selling for 99.2% of original list price on average. Individual streets, price ranges and property types can behave very differently.
Is there public transit from Wellesley to Boston?
Yes. MBTA service in Wellesley: commuter rail: Wellesley Farms, Wellesley Hills, Wellesley Square (Framingham/Worcester Line). Check the MBTA's current schedules for times.
MLS listings
Wellesley homes for sale right now.
Active and coming-soon listings in Wellesley, through my Ruuster home search. Save a search to hear about new ones as they come on.
Search provided by Ruuster via HomeBase. Open the full Wellesley search in a new tab (opens in a new tab). Listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Buying or selling here?
Interested in Wellesley?
Tell me what you're weighing: a street, a price range, a timeline. I'll send the recent sales that matter and what I'd watch for in Wellesley specifically.
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Sources: market figures, Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, Local Market Update (data: MLS PIN; © ShowingTime Plus); tax rate, Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank, Tax Rates by Class; population, U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates for cities and towns; stations, MBTA (V3 API); distance, OpenStreetMap Nominatim (town center); miles are straight-line to Boston City Hall. Numbers retrieved 2026-10-21.