Compare towns
Bolton vs Needham vs Carlisle
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Bolton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+15.7%).
Needham has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Carlisle has the highest household income ($250k).
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 | Bolton | Needham | Carlisle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,737 |
32,459Highest |
5,239Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +15.7%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+11.1% MA: +7.4% |
+7.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.2±1.7Lowest 3% above MA |
43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
45.3±3.1Highest 13% above MA |
| Carlisle and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 25%±3.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
26.4%±5.8 MA: 19.4% |
| Needham and Carlisle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.7%±3.2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
21.7%±3.4Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Carlisle and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
87.2%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.6%±1.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
4%±1.9 MA: 7.9% |
| Needham and Carlisle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $205,449±$31kLowest 98% above MA |
$214,308±$13k 106% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $796,000±$49kLowest 42% above MA |
$1,188,500±$43kHighest 111% above MA |
$1,103,900±$46k 96% above MA |
| Needham and Carlisle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,583±$1k 10% below MA |
$2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
$1,313±$855Lowest 25% below MA |
| Needham and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+ at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+ at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+ at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 12.7%±45.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
77%±21.4Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Carlisle and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.9% MA: 10% |
3.7%Highest MA: 10% |
1.5%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.7%Highest MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
93.6% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 24 yrs newer than MA |
1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
1976 12 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 26% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
35 min 21% above MA |
| Work from home | 40.5%±6.9Highest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
38.5%±8.2 MA: 18.6% |
| Bolton and Carlisle 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 | #28 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #24 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Nashoba | — | Carlisle |
| High school in town | Nashoba Regional | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.0 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
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.