Compare towns

Dedham vs Middlefield vs Dedham

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Middlefield has the most affordable homes ($333k 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.

MeasureDedhamMiddlefieldDedham
People
Population
25,237Highest
352Lowest
25,237Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-26.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+2.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
44.6±1.6Lowest
12% above MA
56.9±3.7Highest
42% above MA
44.6±1.6Lowest
12% above MA
Kids under 18
18.6%±1.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
4.5%±9.5Lowest
MA: 19.4%
18.6%±1.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
Age 65+
21.9%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
28.7%±8.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Middlefield and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
55%Highest
MA: 47.3%
31.8%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
55%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.6%±1Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.8%±4.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1Highest
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$128,955±$10kHighest
24% above MA
$103,750±$23kLowest
about the MA average
$128,955±$10kHighest
24% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$661,800±$16kHighest
18% above MA
$332,800±$48kLowest
41% below MA
$661,800±$16kHighest
18% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,042±$182Lowest
16% above MA
$2,625±$1kHighest
49% above MA
$2,042±$182Lowest
16% above MA
Middlefield and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
$4,926Lowest
18% below MA
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.4%±10Lowest
MA: 51.8%
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±10Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Middlefield and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
12.2%Highest
MA: 10%
5.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
94.1%Highest
MA: 62.5%
73.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1956Lowest
8 yrs older than MA
1971Highest
7 yrs newer than MA
1956Lowest
8 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minLowest
about the MA average
30 minHighest
about the MA average
29 minLowest
about the MA average
Work from home
20%±2.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
13.2%±9.2Lowest
MA: 18.6%
20%±2.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #119 of 282 in MA — #119 of 282 in MA
School district — — Dedham
High school in town — — Dedham High
Students per teacherat that high school — —
10.4
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.