Compare towns
Brookline vs Everett vs Somerville vs Belmont
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Brookline has the most expensive homes ($1247k median).
Everett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+17.8%).
Somerville has the youngest population (median age 31.9).
Belmont has the most homeowners (64.7%).
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 | Brookline | Everett | Somerville | Belmont |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 63,266 |
50,045 |
81,036Highest |
27,175Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.6% MA: +7.4% |
+17.8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+7%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+10.4% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 35.2±1.2 12% below MA |
35.2±1.5 12% below MA |
31.9±0.6Lowest 20% below MA |
42.9±1Highest 7% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 18.7%±1.4 MA: 19.4% |
21.8%±2.1 MA: 19.4% |
9.8%±0.8Lowest MA: 19.4% |
24.2%±2Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Belmont and Everett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.8%±1.3 MA: 17.9% |
11.3%±1.1 MA: 17.9% |
10%±0.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
19.3%±1.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 85.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
24.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
69.4% MA: 47.3% |
80.9% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 10.8%±1.3 MA: 7.9% |
6.3%±0.9 MA: 7.9% |
12.8%±1.2Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.8%±1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Somerville and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $142,101±$8k 37% above MA |
$85,218±$7kLowest 18% below MA |
$132,572±$6k 28% above MA |
$183,137±$14kHighest 76% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,246,800±$67kHighest 122% above MA |
$610,000±$23kLowest 9% above MA |
$911,300±$26k 62% above MA |
$1,159,000±$33k 106% above MA |
| Brookline and Belmont are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,835±$82Highest 61% above MA |
$2,076±$69Lowest 18% above MA |
$2,517±$64 43% above MA |
$2,527±$105 43% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$4,880Lowest 19% below MA |
$6,186 3% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.9%±4 MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±5.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
36.2%±2.9Lowest MA: 51.8% |
45.6%±6.2 MA: 51.8% |
| Everett and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.7% MA: 10% |
14.7%Highest MA: 10% |
9.8% MA: 10% |
3.6%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 46.9% MA: 62.5% |
37.2% MA: 62.5% |
34.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
64.7%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1938 26 yrs older than MA |
1938 26 yrs older than MA |
1938 26 yrs older than MA |
1938 26 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest 7% below MA |
35 minHighest 20% above MA |
31 min 7% above MA |
29 min about the MA average |
| Work from home | 30.1%±2.2 MA: 18.6% |
10.5%±2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
31.3%±2.2 MA: 18.6% |
31.5%±3.2Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Belmont and Somerville 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 | #22 of 282 in MA | #264 of 282 in MA | #225 of 282 in MA | #3 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Everett | Somerville | Belmont |
| High school in town | — | Everett High | Somerville High | Belmont High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.1 |
11.2Lowest |
15.8Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.