Compare towns
Acton vs Newfields vs Needham vs Andover
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Acton has the most people working from home (35.9%).
Newfields has the most affordable homes ($646k median).
Needham has the most expensive homes ($1189k median).
Andover has the youngest population (median age 42.9).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Acton | Newfields | Needham | Andover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 24,155 |
2,023Lowest |
32,459 |
36,652Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.5±0.8Highest 14% above U.S. |
44.1±1.8 13% above U.S. |
43.1±1.6 11% above U.S. |
42.9±1Lowest 10% above U.S. |
| Acton and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 23.2%±2.5 U.S.: 22% |
18.9%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
27.5%±2.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
23.6%±1.8 U.S.: 22% |
| Needham and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 17.6%±1.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
13.6%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.7%±1.7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
16%±1.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Needham and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 79.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
68.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
81.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
75.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
7.5%±7.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±1.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
8.1%±0.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Andover and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $158,230±$14kLowest 96% above U.S. |
$197,885±$15k 145% above U.S. |
$214,308±$13kHighest 165% above U.S. |
$172,606±$16k 114% above U.S. |
| Needham and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $807,300±$20k 143% above U.S. |
$646,400±$34kLowest 94% above U.S. |
$1,188,500±$43kHighest 257% above U.S. |
$855,600±$22k 157% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,986±$155 41% above U.S. |
$1,875±$323Lowest 33% above U.S. |
$2,409±$183Highest 70% above U.S. |
$2,201±$129 56% above U.S. |
| Needham and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+ at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+ at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+ at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+ at least 221% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.7%±11.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
43.3%±40.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
55.9%±8.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
39.7%±7.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Needham and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
2.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
95.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
83.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1991Highest 11 yrs newer than U.S. |
1965Lowest 15 yrs older than U.S. |
1973 7 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 31% above U.S. |
26 minLowest about the U.S. average |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
29 min 10% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 35.9%±4.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
25.5%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
32.4%±2.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
30.4%±2.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Acton and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #13 of 282 in MA | — | #19 of 282 in MA | #68 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Acton-Boxborough | Newfields School District | Needham | Andover · Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical |
| High school in town | Acton-Boxborough Regional High | None in town | Needham High | Gr Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.5Highest |
— | 11.9Lowest |
12.8 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.