# Auburndale: A Commuter's Haven for Growing Families
How is the commute from Auburndale to Boston and Cambridge?
For working parents, Auburndale delivers something rare: a commute that actually works. The Auburndale Commuter Rail Station sits near Auburn Street and Woodland Road, and from there, the Framingham/Worcester Line whisks you to South Station in about 20 to 25 minutes. That means you can make the school play. You can be home for dinner. You can actually see your kids before bedtime.
The station does have one quirk worth mentioning, especially if you're juggling a stroller or hauling gear: the staircases. They're not the easiest to navigate with little ones in tow. Parking is decent, but those stairs require a bit of planning. If the commuter rail doesn't suit your schedule, the Green Line's D Branch at Riverside is just a quick drive away, giving you another route into Longwood and Cambridge.
Newton Real Estate + Commute Quick-Read (2025–Early 2026)
Hero snapshot for young families: mixes price, inventory pressure, and commute-dependent market signals (mixed units kept in a snapshot, not a chart).
Pricing (Newton, 2025 vs 2024)
Median Sales Price2024: $1,550,000 | 2025: $1,611,000
Average Sales Price2024: $1,802,176 | 2025: $$1,787,501
Market Pace (Newton, 2025 vs 2024)
Average Days on Market2024: 37 | 2025: 40
Inventory (Newton, 2025 vs 2024)
Months Supply of Inventory2024: 1.14 | 2025: 0.93
Financing (Newton, 2025 vs 2024)
Mortgage Rate2024: 6.25% | 2025: 7.04%
Auburndale (through Dec 2025)
Median Home Price (02466)$1,511,950
Median Rent (02466)$3,374
Drivers have it even better. Auburndale sits right at the Mass Pike (I-90) on-ramp near the Star Market, with immediate access to Route 128/I-95. This kind of connectivity is exactly why homes here don't stay on the market long. Many mornings start with a coffee from Breadsong Bakery before merging onto the Pike—a small ritual that transforms the daily grind into something almost pleasant.
Is Auburndale safe for kids walking to school?
This is the first question most families ask, and the answer is genuinely reassuring. Auburndale was built with walking in mind. Sidewalks line the streets. Crossing guards watch over major intersections near Williams and Burr Elementary schools. The violent crime rate in Newton sits at just 0.5 incidents per 1,000 residents, compared to the national median of 4 per 1,000. Those numbers translate into something precious: the ability to let your older kids walk to a friend's house. To ride bikes to school. To experience the kind of childhood independence that's becoming harder to find.
Safety Check: Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents) — Newton vs Massachusetts vs National Median
Family-focused safety comparison using the same unit across all bars (violent crimes per 1,000 residents).
Right now, families should be aware of the ongoing renovation at Horace Mann Elementary. It's a substantial project—a two-story addition with major upgrades, funded through a Proposition 2 1/2 override. If you're house hunting near the school, factor in construction timelines and potential noise.
Horace Mann Elementary Renovation (Target: Start of 2026–2027 School Year)
Infrastructure + school logistics item for relocating families: renovation scope and timing summarized (mixed text items best shown as a project card).
Expected completionstart of the 2026-2027 school year in September
Additiontwo-story addition and upgrades
Funding mechanismProposition 2 1/2 override
Other schools timingCountryside and Franklin schools won't be far behind
The project wraps up by the 2026-2027 school year, which could make the surrounding streets even more desirable. And the school journey doesn't end at elementary. Day Middle School and Newton North High School are both accessible via short bus rides or easy drives, keeping morning logistics manageable as your kids grow.
Where do families in Auburndale go for groceries and healthcare?
Moving from the city doesn't mean sacrificing convenience—not here. The Star Market on Commonwealth Avenue anchors the village, handling your everyday needs. Trader Joe's is just minutes away in West Newton when you want something different.
Healthcare access brings real peace of mind. Newton-Wellesley Hospital is typically less than a 10-minute drive, whether you're dealing with an emergency or just need a routine checkup. When errands are done and you need a breather, Auburndale Cove along the Charles River offers picnic areas and walking trails that feel worlds away from city life.
Auburndale Home Prices by ZIP (Median Listing Price)
Quick price-map proxy for families comparing sub-areas: median listing prices by ZIP (USD only). Useful for narrowing searches near commuter rail stops.
All these amenities come at a price, of course. The median listing price in the 02466 zip code hovers around $1.51M, reflecting strong demand for this combination of convenience and community. The buy-in is significant, but families putting down roots here tend to stay.
Newton Home Price Forecast (Open Price) — Aug 2026 to Jan 2028
Time-series view of the forecast ‘Open’ price for Newton (all values in USD), useful for families timing a move around school-year logistics.
The numbers show steady appreciation over time, meaning your investment holds its value. For families thinking long-term—and most families moving to Auburndale are—that stability matters as much as the commute times and the crossing guards and the coffee at Breadsong.
