Compare towns
Bolton vs Needham vs Hudson
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 most expensive homes ($1189k median).
Hudson has the most affordable homes ($497k 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.
| Measure | Bolton | Needham | Hudson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,737Lowest |
32,459Highest |
20,077 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +15.7%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+11.1% MA: +7.4% |
+5.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.2±1.7Lowest 3% above MA |
43.1±1.6Highest 8% above MA |
42.9±1.7 7% above MA |
| Needham and Hudson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 25%±3.9 MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
19.3%±2.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Needham and Bolton 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% |
20.1%±2.3Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Hudson 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%Highest MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
46.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.6%±1.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
4%±1 MA: 7.9% |
| Needham and Hudson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $205,449±$31k 98% above MA |
$214,308±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
$103,400±$13kLowest about the MA average |
| Needham and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $796,000±$49k 42% above MA |
$1,188,500±$43kHighest 111% above MA |
$496,800±$22kLowest 12% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,583±$1k 10% below MA |
$2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
$1,406±$82Lowest 20% 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+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$6,892Lowest 15% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 12.7%±45.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
40.8%±8.7 MA: 51.8% |
| Needham and Hudson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.9%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.7% MA: 10% |
5.3%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.7%Highest MA: 62.5% |
83.1% MA: 62.5% |
73.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 24 yrs newer than MA |
1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
1970 6 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 26% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
31 min 6% above MA |
| Work from home | 40.5%±6.9Highest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4 MA: 18.6% |
19.6%±3.6Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Bolton 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 | #28 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #224 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Nashoba | Needham | Hudson |
| High school in town | Nashoba Regional | Needham High | Hudson High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.0Highest |
11.9 |
10.2Lowest |
| 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.