Compare towns
Brookline vs Newton vs Brookline
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
Bordering BrooklineBoston
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Newton has the most homeowners (70%).
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 | Newton | Brookline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 63,266Lowest |
89,044Highest |
63,266Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+4.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+7.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 35.2±1.2Lowest 12% below MA |
42.1±0.9Highest 5% above MA |
35.2±1.2Lowest 12% below MA |
| Kids under 18 | 18.7%±1.4Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.5%±1Highest MA: 19.4% |
18.7%±1.4Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Newton and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.8%±1.3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
19.1%±0.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
15.8%±1.3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 85.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
81.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
85.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 10.8%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
11.1%±0.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
10.8%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Newton 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±$8kLowest 37% above MA |
$190,304±$9kHighest 83% above MA |
$142,101±$8kLowest 37% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,246,800±$67kLowest 122% above MA |
$1,264,900±$43kHighest 125% above MA |
$1,246,800±$67kLowest 122% above MA |
| Newton and Brookline 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 |
$2,370±$81Lowest 35% above MA |
$2,835±$82Highest 61% above MA |
| 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 | 46.9%±4Highest MA: 51.8% |
43.3%±4.5Lowest MA: 51.8% |
46.9%±4Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Below poverty line | 8.7%Highest MA: 10% |
4.5%Lowest MA: 10% |
8.7%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 46.9%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
70%Highest MA: 62.5% |
46.9%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1942Highest 22 yrs older than MA |
1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minHighest 7% below MA |
27 minLowest 9% below MA |
27 minHighest 7% below MA |
| Work from home | 30.1%±2.2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32.2%±2Highest MA: 18.6% |
30.1%±2.2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Newton and Brookline 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 | #25 of 282 in MA | #22 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Newton | Brookline |
| High school in town | — | Newton North High | Brookline High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.8Lowest |
11.9Highest |
| 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.