Compare towns

Dedham vs Monroe vs Dedham

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Monroe has the most affordable homes ($165k 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.

MeasureDedhamMonroeDedham
People
Population
25,237Highest
122Lowest
25,237Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.6%
MA: +7.4%
—
+2.6%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
44.6±1.6Lowest
12% above MA
60.2±9.9Highest
51% above MA
44.6±1.6Lowest
12% above MA
Kids under 18
18.6%±1.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
16.4%±28Lowest
MA: 19.4%
18.6%±1.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
Age 65+
21.9%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
31.1%±27.3Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Monroe 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%
19.8%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
55%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.6%±1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
9%±18.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Monroe and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$128,955±$10k
24% above MA
—
$128,955±$10k
24% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$661,800±$16kHighest
18% above MA
$165,000±$141kLowest
71% below MA
$661,800±$16kHighest
18% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,042±$182
16% above MA
—
$2,042±$182
16% above MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
$2,053Lowest
66% below MA
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.4%±10Highest
MA: 51.8%
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±10Highest
MA: 51.8%
Below poverty line
5.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
38.5%Highest
MA: 10%
5.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
75.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
73.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1956Highest
8 yrs older than MA
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1956Highest
8 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minLowest
about the MA average
56 minHighest
93% above MA
29 minLowest
about the MA average
Work from home
20%±2.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
0%±41.2Lowest
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.