Is Peabody Safe, Pros and cons of living in Peabody
Peabody, Massachusetts, a city steeped in industrial history, offers a blend of suburban comfort and urban accessibility. Located on the North Shore, it provides a distinct character shaped by its past as a hub for leather and pottery manufacturing. Today, it stands as a vibrant community with a growing population and a strong sense of local identity.
The city is known for its well-established neighborhoods, a commitment to community services, and a strategic location within the greater Boston metropolitan area. This positioning allows residents to benefit from the economic and cultural opportunities of a major city while enjoying a more relaxed pace of life.
Is it Safe to Live in Peabody?
Peabody generally presents a safe environment for its residents. The overall crime rate in Peabody is notably lower than the national average, with reports indicating it is approximately 48% lower than the U.S. average (according to CityRating.com). This suggests a lower likelihood of experiencing crime on a daily basis, with an estimated 1.64 crimes per day, comprising about 0.38 violent crimes and 1.26 property crimes.
Violent crimes in Peabody are also significantly lower than the national average, reported at 29.1% less per 100,000 individuals (as reported by CityRating.com). Property crimes follow a similar trend, with a rate of 837 per 100,000 residents, which is 52.5% lower than the U.S. average (as reported by CityRating.com). The northwest part of the city is generally considered the safest, with a lower chance of victimization compared to other neighborhoods (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).
Housing Costs and Availability
The housing market in Peabody reflects a demand that has seen significant price increases over the past few years. The median home value in Peabody was approximately $596,200 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA), marking a 5.3% increase from the previous year. This appreciation indicates a robust market where properties are selling quickly, with homes often selling for more than the asking price (as reported by Louise Touchette).
Rental prices in Peabody are also on the higher side, with the average rent for an apartment being around $2,500 per month as of April 2026 (as reported by Zillow). This figure is considerably higher than the national average rent. For a studio apartment, the average rent is about $1,625, while one-bedroom apartments average $2,150, and two-bedroom units are around $2,595 per month (as reported by Zillow).
The Job Market and Economy
Peabody’s economy is supported by a diverse range of industries and a growing employment sector. From 2023 to 2024, employment in Peabody saw a slight increase of 0.826%, with the number of employees growing to approximately 28,200 (as reported by Data USA). Key employment sectors for Peabody residents include healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing.
The average annual salary in Peabody is around $53,166 as of April 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, other sources indicate a higher average salary for jobs in Peabody, Massachusetts, at $75,578 per year or $36 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). The unemployment rate in Peabody was 3.90% in recent reports, which is lower than the long-term average for the city (as reported by YCharts).
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Peabody is significantly higher than both the national and state averages. In 2026, the estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $3,786, and for a family of four, it is $8,336 (as reported by Salary.com). This makes Peabody one of the more expensive cities in the United States, with its cost of living index being 45% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).
Housing costs are a primary driver of this elevated cost of living, being 105% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Other contributing factors include elevated transportation expenses and rising food prices. While Peabody is more affordable than some neighboring cities in the Boston metro area, it remains a high-cost area overall.
Climate and Weather Patterns
Peabody experiences a humid continental climate characterized by four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and comfortable, with average high temperatures reaching around 81°F in July (as reported by myPerfectWeather and U.S. Climate Data). Winters are cold, snowy, and windy, with average low temperatures in January dropping to around 22°F (as reported by U.S. Climate Data).
The city receives an average annual precipitation of about 48 inches, with October typically being the wettest month. Snowfall averages around 49 inches annually, with January being the snowiest month (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The humidity levels remain comfortable during the summer months, contributing to a pleasant environment.
Education and School Ratings
The Peabody Public School District serves the city’s student population, operating 11 public schools with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1 (as reported by Niche). However, the district’s overall performance, based on state test scores, indicates that about 33% of students are proficient in math and 28% in reading (as reported by Niche). The district’s average testing ranking is 3 out of 10, placing it in the bottom 50% of public school districts in Massachusetts (as reported by Niche).
Despite the overall district rankings, some individual schools are recognized for their performance. West Memorial Elementary School, John E. Burke School, and John E. McCarthy Memorial School are among the higher-ranked elementary schools within the district (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Peabody Veterans Memorial High School is the primary high school serving the city.
Demographics and Population
Peabody is a diverse city with a population of approximately 54,700 residents (as reported by Data USA). The city’s demographic makeup includes a significant White (Non-Hispanic) population, making up about 39.7k people in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). Other notable ethnic groups include those identifying as Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic).
As of 2024, about 17.4% of Peabody residents were born outside the United States, which is comparable to the national average (as reported by Data USA). The median age in Peabody is around 45.3 years (as reported by Data Commons and U.S. Climate Data). The population density is approximately 3,355.6 people per square mile (as reported by Moving to Peabody, MA).
Major Employers and Economic Drivers
Peabody’s economy is supported by a range of major employers and commercial centers. The Northshore Mall is a significant economic driver, featuring over 150 specialty stores and various entertainment and dining options (as reported by City of Peabody, Massachusetts). Other key employers in the area include large retail chains like Walmart, FedEx, and Target (as reported by Indeed.com).
Healthcare institutions also play a vital role in the local economy, with major facilities such as Boston Children’s Hospital Peabody and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center serving the community (as reported by Wikipedia and City of Peabody, Massachusetts). Chelsea Industries, Inc. is a notable manufacturing company headquartered in Peabody (as reported by Zippia).