Compare towns
Danvers vs Needham vs Newton vs Danvers
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Needham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Newton has the most expensive homes ($1265k 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 | Danvers | Needham | Newton | Danvers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 28,098Lowest |
32,459 |
89,044Highest |
28,098Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6% MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+4.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+6% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±3Highest 13% above MA |
43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
42.1±0.9Lowest 5% above MA |
45.3±3Highest 13% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 17.2%±2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
20.5%±1 MA: 19.4% |
17.2%±2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±2.2Highest MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
19.1%±0.9 MA: 17.9% |
22.6%±2.2Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
81.1% MA: 47.3% |
48.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
11.1%±0.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
4%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $125,395±$10kLowest 21% above MA |
$214,308±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
$190,304±$9k 83% above MA |
$125,395±$10kLowest 21% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $644,200±$23kLowest 15% above MA |
$1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$1,264,900±$43kHighest 125% above MA |
$644,200±$23kLowest 15% above MA |
| Newton and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,076±$192Lowest 18% above MA |
$2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
$2,370±$81 35% above MA |
$2,076±$192Lowest 18% above MA |
| Needham and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,654Lowest 11% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$6,654Lowest 11% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.8%±8.6 MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
43.3%±4.5Lowest MA: 51.8% |
48.8%±8.6 MA: 51.8% |
| Needham and Danvers are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.8%Highest MA: 10% |
3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
4.5% MA: 10% |
4.8%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 69.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
70% MA: 62.5% |
69.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963 1 yr older than MA |
1965Highest 1 yr newer than MA |
1942Lowest 22 yrs older than MA |
1963 1 yr older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minHighest about the MA average |
28 min 5% below MA |
27 minLowest 9% below MA |
28 minHighest about the MA average |
| Work from home | 19.3%±3.6Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
32.2%±2 MA: 18.6% |
19.3%±3.6Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Needham and Newton 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 | #91 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #25 of 282 in MA | #91 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Needham | Newton | Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District · Danvers |
| High school in town | — | Needham High | Newton North High | Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.9 |
10.8Lowest |
12.8Highest |
| 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.