Compare towns
Concord vs Dover vs Needham vs Bedford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Concord has the oldest population (median age 47.6).
Dover has the most homeowners (97.9%).
Needham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Bedford has the most affordable homes ($899k 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 | Concord | Dover | Needham | Bedford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 18,223 |
2,308Lowest |
32,459Highest |
14,727 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.7%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+8.3% MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+8% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 47.6±2Highest 19% above MA |
47.5±4 19% above MA |
43.1±1.6Lowest 8% above MA |
44.3±1.6 11% above MA |
| Concord and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 23.6%±2.6 MA: 19.4% |
20.9%±4.8 MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
20.8%±2.7Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Needham and Concord are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 23.7%±2.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±3.5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
19.1%±2.6 MA: 17.9% |
| Concord and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 79.4% MA: 47.3% |
83.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
81.9% MA: 47.3% |
69.6%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.5%±1.7 MA: 7.9% |
9.4%±4.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
6.5%±1.9 MA: 7.9% |
| Dover and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $195,350±$22k 88% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$214,308±$13k 106% above MA |
$172,400±$23kLowest 66% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,210,000±$72k 115% above MA |
$1,308,300±$149kHighest 133% above MA |
$1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$898,500±$43kLowest 60% above MA |
| Dover and Concord are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,631±$166Highest 49% above MA |
— | $2,409±$183Lowest 37% above MA |
$2,622±$327 49% above MA |
| Concord and Bedford 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 |
$10,000+ at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.2%±10.5 MA: 51.8% |
100%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
42%±9.5Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Dover and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.7% MA: 10% |
3.3%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.7% MA: 10% |
5.5%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.7% MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
83.1% MA: 62.5% |
68.8%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1969 5 yrs newer than MA |
1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
1976Highest 12 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 11% above MA |
37 minHighest 26% above MA |
28 min 5% below MA |
26 minLowest 11% below MA |
| Work from home | 36.1%±4.5 MA: 18.6% |
37.4%±8.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±6.2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Dover and Concord 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 | #10 of 282 in MA | #1 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #7 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Concord · Concord-Carlisle | — | Needham | Bedford |
| High school in town | Concord Carlisle High | — | Needham High | Bedford High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.4 |
— | 11.9Highest |
11.2Lowest |
| 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.