So, why Andover of all places in the U.S.? Because its zip code of 01810 showed up as number four on Realtor.com’s “Hottest Zip Codes of 2023” (Realtor.com is our partner site). This list of the top 10 hottest zip codes shows where homebuyers find value in the vicinity of high-priced metros. And, in case you’re wondering, number one is Gahanna, OH, number two is Southington, CT, number three is Ridgewood, NJ, and number five is Nazareth, PA.
What Are Realtor.com’s “Hottest Zip Codes of 2023”?
These hot zips offer a considerable bang for your buck with larger-than-average homes at lower-than-average prices. This alone makes moving to cities, like Andover, MA, worth it for some. According to Niche, Andover is the number one best place to live in Essex County. Andover gets an overall grade of A+, with the highest marks for public schools and family-friendliness.
Typically, wherever you decide where to live, you’re looking for a place that fits your personality, life circumstances, preferences, and interests. Factors to consider before moving include the cost of living, real estate markets, things to do in that area, and so much more. These are the criteria we’ve used to look at Andover, MA, and the other cities featured on Realtor.com’s “Hottest Zip Codes of 2023.”
What Are the Pros of Living in Andover, MA?
Andover is a great place to live and raise a family. It gets high marks as one of the best suburbs of Boston to live in. As a resident of Andover, you’ll enjoy access to top-quality services, excellent public schools, a safe environment, a thriving downtown with many interesting local businesses to support, a short commute to Boston, and lots of options for you to spend time outdoors hiking, camping, fishing, and so on.
Here’s some information on where Andover is, plus a few other quick facts, including its size and a bit of history.
The town of Andover is located on the banks of the Merrimack River in Essex County in the northeastern part of Massachusetts, approximately 23 miles north of Boston. It’s considered a Boston suburb. Andover has approximately 32 square miles of land area and 223 miles of roadways. It’s bordered by Lawrence and Methuen to the north, North Andover to the east, North Reading and Wilmington to the south, and the towns of Tewksbury and Dracut to the west.
Named after Andover in Hampshire, England, the town was settled in 1642 by John Woodbridge and a group of settlers from Newbury and Ipswich, and incorporated in 1646 but Native Americans inhabited what is now northeastern Massachusetts for thousands of years before that. The land was sold to English settlers but with an agreement that the Native Americans who lived in the area would be allowed to fish in the area’s rivers.
During the 1692 Salem witch trials, about 40 Andover residents (mostly women) were accused of practicing witchcraft. Three were executed after being convicted. (Salem is only about 17 miles away from Andover).
Andover was also active during the American Civil War. Many residents supported the anti-slavery movement, and some of the prominent abolitionists of that time lived in Andover and provided stops on the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves. Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was a longtime resident and her home, known as Stowe Home, still stands. Hundreds of Andover men served in the Union Army.
Andover has a population of 36,363, according to the latest available U.S. Census data (as of July 2022). AreaVibes gives Andover a livability score of 81 out of 100, which is considered exceptional.
Do you think that moving to Andover, MA, is in the cards for you? Then, here is a rundown of what you need to know before moving.
The Cost of Living in Andover, MA
The cost of living in Andover is high. At 151, it’s 51% higher than the national average and higher than the state’s cost of living of 130. This is determined by comparing the cost of living in Andover to the costs of living in other cities around the United States. If a city’s index score is higher than 100%, then the cost of living is above average. When the index score is lower than 100, you’ll find a below-average cost of living.
Goods and services, groceries, transportation, and utilities are all higher in Andover than the national average. The housing costs are a high 222%, compared to the national average of 100%.
The Job Market in Andover, MA
Andover has an unemployment rate of 7.4% while the U.S. average is 6.0%. Andover has seen the job market increase by 4.0% recently. Future job growth over the next 10 years is predicted to be 38.7%, which is higher than the U.S. average of 33.5%. The biggest company to work for in Andover is Philips Healthcare. It’s also considered the best company to work for, followed by a consulting firm ALKU and the tech company MKS Instruments.
There are several companies headquartered in Andover. One of many companies, Mercury Systems, is included in the S&P 400 Index. Another, Vicor Corporation, is a part of the S&P 600 Index. Andover also hosts regional offices for many multinational corporations such as Schneider Electric, Pfizer, and Raytheon Technologies. Raytheon is considered the largest employer in the area. Andover’s many residents also commute to their jobs in Boston and the surrounding areas.
Salaries in Andover, MA
The median household income in Andover is $155,252. It’s considerably higher than the median household income in Massachusetts ($89,026) and higher than the national median household income of $70,784 (all 2021 numbers, the latest available).
The median salary in Andover, MA works out to be approximately $86,000. The state’s minimum wage rate is $15 per hour, which is higher than the federal rate of $7.25 per hour.
Buying a Home in Andover, MA
Housing in Andover, MA, is not cheap. In September 2023, the median listing home price in Andover was $964,950, and, as of July 2023, trending up 7.2% year-over-year. There were 32 active listings, with 17 median days on the market.
The median listing home price per square foot was $373. According to Realtor.com’s “Hottest Zip Codes of 2023”, Andover “boasts homes priced at nearly 25% less per-square-foot than Boston in June, but the larger size more than offsets the per-square-foot savings, and listings in this ZIP are pricier than the typical metro home for sale.”
Currently, Andover home prices fall within the range of $299,000 to $6.9M. Homes in Andover, MA, sold for 4.91% above asking price on average in July 2023. Andover is considered a seller’s market, meaning there are more people looking to buy than there are homes available.
Renting a Home in Andover, MA
There are more rentals than properties for sale in Andover. Last time we checked, there were 52 apartments and houses for rent. Realtor.com lists the average rental price as $2,800 per month. This cost is considerably higher than the median asking monthly rent of $1,759. According to Realtor.com, as of August 2023, the studio rental cost was $1,445 per month, and a one-bedroom was $1,642.
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Andover is known for being the home of one of the oldest and most prestigious independent secondary “prep” schools in the U.S., Phillips Academy. It was founded in 1778 by Samuel Phillips, who was later appointed by John Adams to help draft the Massachusetts state constitution. Phillips Academy alumni include such notables as former President George Bush, pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock, former Yale President and baseball Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti, and former Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Oliver Wendall Holmes Jr.
Andover public schools are considered excellent. Niche rated Andover as the number two best public school district in Essex County, giving it an A+ for academics, teachers, and college prep.
GreatSchools also rates Andover’s public schools in a high range of 6 to 9 out of 10. The GreatSchools rating is based on a variety of school quality indicators, including test scores, college readiness, and equity data.
To find top-rated schools in Andover, MA, you can use Moversnearyou.info’s School Ratings Tool, which features GreatSchools ratings and other helpful information.
There are at least 24 colleges serving the area, including 18 private colleges and universities, two public colleges and universities, and four community colleges offering two-year degrees.
The Taxes in Andover, MA
The minimum combined 2023 sales tax rate for Andover, Massachusetts, is 6.25%. This is the total of state, county and city sales tax rates. The Massachusetts sales tax rate is currently the same, at 6.25%. The county sales tax rate is 0%, and the Andover sales tax rate is 0%.
Property taxes in Andover are high. As of 2023, the newly approved rates raised the average homeowner’s tax bill 5.9% which is higher than the state’s 1.12%. Both are higher than the average property tax rate in the United States, which is 1.1%.
Getting Around in Andover, MA
Andover, MA, gets a high walk score of 85 out of 100. This means that Andover is very walkable and most errands can be accomplished on foot. The bike score is 55, which means that Andover has some bike infrastructure but could be bike-friendlier.
Andover is bisected by two major highway systems, Routes 93 and 495. Public transportation is available via two commuter rail service stations from Andover to the metropolitan Boston area provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and a regional bus service provided by the Merrimack Valley Transit Authority. Both Logan International Airport and Manchester–Boston Regional Airport are within 30 miles of the town.
As for the average one-way commute, it is 33.3 for the Andover residents, which is longer than the national average of 26.8. Residents predominantly drive to work (75.5% drive their own car alone and 6.5% carpool), 8.2% work from home, and only 4.4% take mass transit.
The Weather in Andover, MA
In Andover, MA, the summers are warm, the winters are freezing and snowy, and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 19°F to 83°F and is rarely below 5°F or above 91°F. The best time to visit is from mid-June to late September.
Things to Do in Andover, MA
The family-friendly Andover is beautiful in all seasons, a picture-perfect example of iconic New England. There are lots of activities if you like to be in nature. You can hit the trails in one of Andover’s numerous conservation areas, parks, and reservations, enjoy the town’s golf courses, go cross-country skiing, or canoeing on the scenic Shawsheen River. Harold Parker State Forest alone provides 3,000 acres of open space for fishing, camping, biking, and horseback riding.
Andover’s thriving historic downtown has all the shopping and dining places you’ll need. Many are one-of-a-kind small businesses that provide a small-town vibe and a sense of community. Among local shops and boutiques, you’ll find many restaurants that offer everything from casual American menus to artisanal sandwiches, elevated Italian cuisine, and steakhouse fare.
Because of Andover’s long and colorful past, the town and its surroundings are replete with historic sites and museums. The oldest house in Andover is Chandler-Bigsby-Abbot House, which was built in 1673. The campus of Phillips Academy is home to the Addison Gallery with its notable collection of American art (admission is free), and the historic Andover Inn. Andover is also home to the second-oldest land preservation society in the country, the Andover Village Improvement Society.
FAQs About Moving to Andover, MA
Ready to Move to Andover, MA?
For more information about moving to Andover, MA, check out the resources available at Moversnearyou.info, such as the City Profile Report feature. Simply enter the zip code or the state and city of your potential move to get a free report with city demographics, real estate information, and quality of life factors. When looking for the best moving company, refer to Moversnearyou.info’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers. Good luck, and happy moving!