Compare towns

Dedham vs Salem vs Uxbridge

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dedham has the most expensive homes ($662k median).
Salem has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.6%).
Uxbridge has the most affordable homes ($441k 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.

MeasureDedhamSalemUxbridge
People
Population
25,237
44,795Highest
14,473Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+7.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+5.2%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
44.6±1.6Highest
12% above MA
39.3±1.5Lowest
about the MA average
41.7±2.8
4% above MA
Dedham and Uxbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.6%±1.9
MA: 19.4%
15.7%±1.7Lowest
MA: 19.4%
19.5%±3.4Highest
MA: 19.4%
Uxbridge and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.9%±2Highest
MA: 17.9%
17.2%±1.7
MA: 17.9%
17.1%±2.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
55%Highest
MA: 47.3%
47.8%
MA: 47.3%
38%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.6%±1
MA: 7.9%
8.2%±1.1Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.2%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$128,955±$10kHighest
24% above MA
$85,153±$5kLowest
18% below MA
$124,725±$7k
20% above MA
Dedham and Uxbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$661,800±$16kHighest
18% above MA
$542,800±$18k
3% below MA
$441,100±$25kLowest
22% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,042±$182Highest
16% above MA
$1,836±$84
4% above MA
$1,555±$265Lowest
12% below MA
Dedham and Salem 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
$6,114
about the MA average
$5,836Lowest
about the MA average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.4%±10Highest
MA: 51.8%
54.9%±4.8
MA: 51.8%
25.6%±5.5Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Dedham and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.6%
MA: 10%
12.1%Highest
MA: 10%
3.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.4%
MA: 62.5%
49.7%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
79.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1956
8 yrs older than MA
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1976Highest
12 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 min
about the MA average
29 minLowest
about the MA average
37 minHighest
26% above MA
Work from home
20%±2.7
MA: 18.6%
21.6%±2.5Highest
MA: 18.6%
15.9%±3.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Salem 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 #248 of 282 in MA #183 of 282 in MA
School district Dedham Salem Uxbridge
High school in town Dedham High Salem High Uxbridge High
Students per teacherat that high school
10.4
9.8Lowest
11.6Highest
On TownTapestry
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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.