Compare towns

Bedford vs Pinehurst vs Concord

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bedford has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8%).
Pinehurst has the most affordable homes ($624k median).
Concord has the most expensive homes ($1210k median).

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.

MeasureBedfordPinehurstConcord
People
Population
14,727
6,845Lowest
18,223Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+4.7%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
44.3±1.6
11% above MA
42.6±2Lowest
7% above MA
47.6±2Highest
19% above MA
Concord and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.8%±2.7
MA: 19.4%
19.8%±4.1Lowest
MA: 19.4%
23.6%±2.6Highest
MA: 19.4%
Concord and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.1%±2.6Lowest
MA: 17.9%
21.1%±3.2
MA: 17.9%
23.7%±2.9Highest
MA: 17.9%
Concord and Pinehurst are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
69.6%
MA: 47.3%
34.2%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
79.4%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.5%±1.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
5.5%±1.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.5%±1.7Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Bedford and Pinehurst are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$172,400±$23k
66% above MA
$146,250±$27kLowest
41% above MA
$195,350±$22kHighest
88% above MA
Concord and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$898,500±$43k
60% above MA
$623,800±$22kLowest
11% above MA
$1,210,000±$72kHighest
115% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,622±$327
49% above MA
$1,946±$1kLowest
10% above MA
$2,631±$166Highest
49% above MA
Concord and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$6,316Lowest
5% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42%±9.5
MA: 51.8%
32%±58.1Lowest
MA: 51.8%
53.2%±10.5Highest
MA: 51.8%
Concord and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.5%Highest
MA: 10%
2.9%Lowest
MA: 10%
3.7%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
68.8%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
97.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
75.7%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
12 yrs newer than MA
1972
8 yrs newer than MA
1969Lowest
5 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
11% below MA
27 min
7% below MA
32 minHighest
11% above MA
Work from home
32.4%±6.2
MA: 18.6%
13.1%±3.2Lowest
MA: 18.6%
36.1%±4.5Highest
MA: 18.6%
Concord and Bedford 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 #7 of 282 in MA — #10 of 282 in MA
School district Bedford — Concord · Concord-Carlisle
High school in town Bedford High — Concord Carlisle High
Students per teacherat that high school
11.2Lowest
—
11.4Highest
On TownTapestry
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MA 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.