A Cape in Chelmsford

Price: $600,000

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1.5

Square feet: 1,409

Lot size: 0.17 acres

Estimated annual property taxes: $6,668

PRO: An easier commute

CON: Less square footage

A budget of $600,000 can net you a charming Cape-style abode in Chelmsford, Mass. This recently sold home measures roughly 1,400 square feet and offers two bedrooms, one full bathroom, and one half bath. Among its selling points are a newly renovated kitchen, a finished basement, a new roof, new windows, a one-car garage, and a fenced-in backyard.

Life in Chelmsford is pretty pleasant, according to listing agent Emily Medwar with Barrett Sotheby’s International Realty. Licensed in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, she highlighted the value of free school busing for children who live more than 2 miles from their school.

“I think Chelmsford is a highly desirable location because the town provides excellent value for housing but also boasts a top-rated school system,” she said.

Other perks? The town offers free trash and recycling pickup, robust programming for seniors, and commuter rail access in nearby Billerica that can get you to Boston in roughly 35 minutes.

While some of her buyers opt for New Hampshire because there is no income tax (Though New Hampshire residents working in Massachusetts must pay Massachusetts income tax), others are turned off by the increased property taxes in the Granite State. Still, they tend to even out, since home prices in New Hampshire are typically lower than in Massachusetts, Medwar said, explaining that it’s the daily commute that plays a bigger role in the decision.

“Many buyers weigh the trade-off between affordability and commute time, often choosing to live in New Hampshire for the lower home prices while accepting a longer drive to work in Massachusetts,” she said.

Room to roam in Weare

Price: $600,000

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square feet: 2,117

Lot size: 5.69 acres

Estimated annual property tax: $7,620

PRO: More space for your money (plus acreage to grow food)

CON: Higher property taxes

If you’re the buyer who doesn’t mind a long commute, you’ll get more for your money in Weare, N.H., which is about an hour and 15 minutes from Boston via I-93 (on a good day). This newly sold home flaunts lots of room both inside and out, offering over 2,000 square feet of living space and almost 6 acres of land with flourishing gardens and a potting shed.

“The seller had every single vegetable, every single herb, every single spice [in her garden],” said listing agent Niki Loiko with Keller Williams Metropolitan, who’s licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. “And she had chickens.” That could be considered a cost-saving measure as egg prices continue to tick up.

Inside the home, there are a slew of new upgrades, including a primary bedroom with an en-suite bath, twin dressing tables, and a deck.

The town of Weare has benefits, too, with free trash and recycling pickup, free school busing for grades K through 8, free extra-curricular activities after school, and fantastic farmers markets, according to Loiko.

“We do not have income [or sales] tax, which is wonderful when you’re shopping and working here,” she said. “But when it comes to our property taxes, I have to make sure when I’m helping my clients search for houses, I tell them, ‘Before you even get excited and look at the photos, we should look at the taxes first.’”

New construction in Wells

Price: $600,000

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,447

Lot size: 0.8 acres

Estimated annual property tax: $3,181

PRO: Free school busing and after-school programs

CON: No town-sponsored trash pickup

Built in 2023, this recent sale came move-in ready — and assuaged any fears about outdated heating, cooling, or electrical systems. Open-concept living, a laundry nook, a primary suite, and a two-car garage are among its standout features.

While this house offers a bit more square footage and acreage than the home in Chelmsford, it does not come close when compared to the one in Weare. It’s about the same distance to Boston as Weare — via I-95 — but proximity to the ocean and hiking trails is unique to this property.

“If you’re someone who likes to be outside, especially at beaches, Maine has a lot more oceanfront than New Hampshire,” said Troy Williams, the listing agent with Williams Realty Partners. He’s licensed in both Maine and New Hampshire, and added that even registering your boat is more expensive in New Hampshire than in Maine due to the state’s tax structure.

In Wells, trash pickup is not included — instead, you’re tasked with bringing trash to the town transfer station, where a vehicle sticker costs $5 annually, plus added fees for select items. School busing is free, however, as are after-school athletics and programs for kids. As a homeowner or renter in Wells, you can buy a seasonal beach parking sticker for $40. In addition, depending on where your home is located, you’re eligible to get your electricity from Kennebunk Light & Power, a local and cheaper alternative to Central Maine Power, the dominant utility provider in the state. As a commuter, you may end up paying between 50 cents and $7 in tolls on I-95, depending on your trip length and whether you have an E-ZPass transponder.

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The pros and cons for each option are many. Deciding where to move may involve a cost-benefit analysis, or it could just come down to personal preference.