Shopping the suburbs northwest of Boston? The Billerica vs Chelmsford vs Tewksbury vs Burlington decision comes up constantly — four neighboring towns, four different price points, and four distinct lifestyles, all within a 15-minute drive of each other. Here's the honest, data-driven comparison to help you choose.
Home Prices: The 2026 Snapshot
Let's start with what everyone asks first — the money. Based on rolling June–August 2026 data:
| Town | Median Sale Price | YoY Change | Avg. Days on Market | % Selling Over Ask |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billerica | $709,530 | +1.4% | 21 | 58.8% |
| Chelmsford | $649,570 | −4.9% | 20 | 71.3% |
| Tewksbury | $676,552 | −4.1% | 22 | 63.2% |
| Burlington | Higher (premium 128-corridor market) | — | — | — |
A few takeaways. First, Billerica is the price leader of the three Merrimack Valley towns — and the only one still appreciating year over year. Chelmsford offers the lowest median of the group, though its 71.3% over-asking rate shows intense competition at that price point. Tewksbury sits in the middle with solid value. Burlington, anchored by its mall, office parks, and direct Route 128 position, commands a premium over all three — you'll pay more for the address.
Property Taxes: The Hidden Monthly Cost
The tax rate changes your monthly payment as surely as the price does:
- Billerica: $11.61 per $1,000 (avg. single-family bill ~$7,484)
- Burlington: $8.69 per $1,000 (avg. bill ~$7,128 — lower rate, higher values)
- Chelmsford: $13.27 per $1,000 (avg. bill ~$9,219)
Chelmsford's higher rate is the real story here — on a $650,000 home, you're paying roughly $1,700 more per year in taxes than the same-priced home in Billerica. Over a decade of ownership, that gap compounds. When you're comparing Billerica vs Chelmsford vs Tewksbury vs Burlington, run the tax math on your actual price point, not just the sticker price.
Commute Comparison
All four towns orbit the same job centers, but each has a slightly different edge:
- Billerica: The most versatile — Route 3 through the middle, under 2 miles from I-495, under 3 miles from Route 128, plus the North Billerica commuter rail station (Lowell Line, ~45 min to North Station)
- Chelmsford: Strong Route 3 and I-495 access; closest to Lowell's job base and UMass Lowell; commuter rail via nearby Lowell or North Billerica
- Tewksbury: Excellent I-495 and Route 38 positioning; quickest to Andover and the 93 corridor; commuter rail via Wilmington or Lowell stations
- Burlington: The 128-corridor king — unbeatable for Burlington/Woburn/Lexington tech jobs; Middlesex Turnpike and Route 3A access; commuter options via Anderson/Woburn station nearby
If your job is on the 128 belt, Burlington and Billerica win. If it's in Lowell or Andover, Chelmsford and Tewksbury edge ahead. Downtown Boston commuters should weigh the North Billerica rail option seriously — it's the only town of the four with its own commuter rail station.
Schools
All four towns run respected K–12 districts, and school quality rarely decides this comparison alone:
- Billerica: One high school (Billerica Memorial, grades 8–12, rebuilt campus), six elementary schools, two middle schools; ~94% graduation rate
- Chelmsford: Highly regarded district with Chelmsford High; strong athletics and academics; Billerica's arch-rival in the Merrimack Valley Conference
- Tewksbury: Solid district with Tewksbury Memorial High; known for community feel and value
- Burlington: Strong schools with significant commercial tax base supporting the district
None of these districts will disappoint; visit the specific schools your kids would attend and talk to local parents.
Lifestyle and Character
This is where the towns truly diverge:
- Billerica feels like a real town with deep roots — nine villages, the Yankee Doodle Homecoming festival, Nutting Lake summers, and historic sites like the Manning Manse. It's the most "New England town" of the four.
- Chelmsford blends suburban neighborhoods with a genuine town center, plus easy access to Lowell's restaurants and culture. Slightly more affordable entry point.
- Tewksbury is the quiet value pick — residential, family-oriented, with good highway access and less commercial bustle.
- Burlington is the most commercial and cosmopolitan — the mall, Wegmans, a dense restaurant scene, and major office parks. It feels more "edge city" than town, which some buyers love and others don't.
Billerica vs Chelmsford vs Tewksbury vs Burlington: The Verdict
- Choose Billerica if you want the strongest-appreciating market of the group, the most versatile commute, genuine town character, and reasonable taxes
- Choose Chelmsford if the lower median price fits your budget better and you don't mind the higher tax rate — and if Lowell access matters
- Choose Tewksbury if you want middle-of-the-road pricing, a quiet residential feel, and fast access to Andover and 93
- Choose Burlington if your job is on the 128 corridor, you want walkable retail and dining, and your budget stretches to the premium
The Billerica vs Chelmsford vs Tewksbury vs Burlington debate has no universal winner — but for buyers who want appreciation momentum, commuter flexibility, and town character at a fair price, Billerica makes a compelling case in 2026. Tour all four with Chris Doherty, one of Greater Lowell's top agents for town-to-town comparisons, and get honest guidance on which town fits your commute, your budget, and your life — reach out to Doherty Properties today.
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