Compare towns
Canton vs Dedham vs Hanson vs Stoneham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Canton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13%).
Dedham has the oldest population (median age 44.6).
Hanson has the most homeowners (89%).
Stoneham has the shortest commute (28 min average).
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 | Canton | Dedham | Hanson | Stoneham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 24,748 |
25,237Highest |
10,660Lowest |
23,355 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +13%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+4.2% MA: +7.4% |
+8.4% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.6±2.3 7% above MA |
44.6±1.6Highest 12% above MA |
42.8±3 7% above MA |
42.2±2.2Lowest 6% above MA |
| Dedham and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22.9%±2.3Highest MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±1.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
21.6%±3.7 MA: 19.4% |
20.8%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
| Canton and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.8%±2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2Highest MA: 17.9% |
19.7%±3 MA: 17.9% |
20.4%±2.2 MA: 17.9% |
| Dedham and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 67.5%Highest MA: 47.3% |
55% MA: 47.3% |
42.6%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
55.9% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.8%±2.2 MA: 7.9% |
4.7%±1.4 MA: 7.9% |
| Dedham and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $143,381±$9kHighest 38% above MA |
$128,955±$10k 24% above MA |
$132,200±$10k 27% above MA |
$113,964±$10kLowest 10% above MA |
| Canton and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $710,600±$27kHighest 26% above MA |
$661,800±$16k 18% above MA |
$533,900±$36kLowest 5% below MA |
$671,900±$26k 20% above MA |
| Canton and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,315±$178Highest 31% above MA |
$2,042±$182 16% above MA |
$1,821±$860Lowest 3% above MA |
$2,035±$142 15% above MA |
| Canton and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,560 9% above MA |
$7,918Highest 32% above MA |
$6,402Lowest 7% above MA |
$6,523 9% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.4%±9.1 MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±10 MA: 51.8% |
69%±33.1Highest MA: 51.8% |
41.9%±8.2Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Hanson and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.2% MA: 10% |
5.6%Highest MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
5.4% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.6% MA: 62.5% |
73.4% MA: 62.5% |
89%Highest MA: 62.5% |
71%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest 16 yrs newer than MA |
1956Lowest 8 yrs older than MA |
1972 8 yrs newer than MA |
1964 same as MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 36 minHighest 23% above MA |
29 min about the MA average |
34 min 15% above MA |
28 minLowest 4% below MA |
| Work from home | 25.7%±3.3Highest MA: 18.6% |
20%±2.7 MA: 18.6% |
7.9%±2.5Lowest MA: 18.6% |
24.6%±3.6 MA: 18.6% |
| Canton and Stoneham 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 | #81 of 282 in MA | #119 of 282 in MA | #149 of 282 in MA | #117 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical · Canton | Dedham | Whitman-Hanson | Stoneham |
| High school in town | Canton High | Dedham High | Whitman Hanson Regional | Stoneham High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.1 |
10.4Lowest |
14.7Highest |
10.7 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.