Compare towns
Dedham vs Stoneham vs Wellesley vs Dedham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Stoneham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.4%).
Wellesley has the most expensive homes ($1583k 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 | Dedham | Stoneham | Wellesley | Dedham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 25,237 |
23,355Lowest |
30,347Highest |
25,237 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+8.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+5.6% MA: +7.4% |
+2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.6±1.6Highest 12% above MA |
42.2±2.2 6% above MA |
37.1±2.2Lowest 7% below MA |
44.6±1.6Highest 12% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 18.6%±1.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.8%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
24.1%±2Highest MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±1.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Wellesley and Stoneham 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% |
20.4%±2.2 MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±1.3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 55%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
55.9% MA: 47.3% |
89%Highest MA: 47.3% |
55%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.6%±1 MA: 7.9% |
4.7%±1.4Lowest MA: 7.9% |
18.3%±0.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1 MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $128,955±$10k 24% above MA |
$113,964±$10kLowest 10% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$128,955±$10k 24% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $661,800±$16kLowest 18% above MA |
$671,900±$26k 20% above MA |
$1,582,700±$49kHighest 182% above MA |
$661,800±$16kLowest 18% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,042±$182 16% above MA |
$2,035±$142Lowest 15% above MA |
$2,886±$360Highest 64% above MA |
$2,042±$182 16% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,918 32% above MA |
$6,523Lowest 9% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$7,918 32% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.4%±10Highest MA: 51.8% |
41.9%±8.2Lowest MA: 51.8% |
44.1%±8.2 MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±10Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Below poverty line | 5.6%Highest MA: 10% |
5.4% MA: 10% |
4%Lowest MA: 10% |
5.6%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.4% MA: 62.5% |
71%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
84.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
73.4% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1956 8 yrs older than MA |
1964Highest same as MA |
1955Lowest 9 yrs older than MA |
1956 8 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest about the MA average |
28 min 4% below MA |
27 minLowest 7% below MA |
29 minHighest about the MA average |
| Work from home | 20%±2.7Lowest MA: 18.6% |
24.6%±3.6 MA: 18.6% |
32%±2.9Highest MA: 18.6% |
20%±2.7Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #119 of 282 in MA | #117 of 282 in MA | #6 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 | 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.