Compare towns
Dedham vs Peterborough vs Stoneham vs Dedham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Peterborough has the most affordable homes ($379k median).
Stoneham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.4%).
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 | Dedham | Peterborough | Stoneham | Dedham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 25,237Highest |
2,539Lowest |
23,355 |
25,237Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+8.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.6±1.6 15% above U.S. |
55.5±9.2Highest 43% above U.S. |
42.2±2.2Lowest 8% above U.S. |
44.6±1.6 15% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 18.6%±1.9 U.S.: 22% |
10.4%±4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
20.8%±2.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±1.9 U.S.: 22% |
| Stoneham and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±2 U.S.: 17.2% |
35.1%±5.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.4%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±2 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 55%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
57.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
55.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
55%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.6%±1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.3%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.7%±1.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.6%±1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $128,955±$10kHighest 60% above U.S. |
$85,833±$15kLowest 6% above U.S. |
$113,964±$10k 41% above U.S. |
$128,955±$10kHighest 60% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $661,800±$16k 99% above U.S. |
$379,300±$57kLowest 14% above U.S. |
$671,900±$26kHighest 102% above U.S. |
$661,800±$16k 99% above U.S. |
| Stoneham and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,042±$182Highest 45% above U.S. |
$1,515±$290Lowest 7% above U.S. |
$2,035±$142 44% above U.S. |
$2,042±$182Highest 45% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,918Highest 154% above U.S. |
$7,422 138% above U.S. |
$6,523Lowest 109% above U.S. |
$7,918Highest 154% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.4%±10Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
36.9%±20.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.9%±8.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
56.4%±10Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Below poverty line | 5.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
56.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
71% U.S.: 65.2% |
73.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1956 24 yrs older than U.S. |
1954Lowest 26 yrs older than U.S. |
1964Highest 16 yrs older than U.S. |
1956 24 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 11% above U.S. |
25 minLowest 6% below U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
29 minHighest 11% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 20%±2.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.1%±6.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
24.6%±3.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
20%±2.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Stoneham and Dedham 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 | #119 of 282 in MA | #59 of 120 in NH | #117 of 282 in MA | #119 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Dedham | — | Stoneham | — |
| High school in town | Dedham High | — | Stoneham High | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.4Lowest |
— | 10.7Highest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 6 photos → | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.