Compare towns
Dedham vs Whitman vs Stoneham vs Dedham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Whitman has the most affordable homes ($473k 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 | Whitman | Stoneham | Dedham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 25,237Highest |
15,295Lowest |
23,355 |
25,237Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+4.4% MA: +7.4% |
+8.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.6±1.6Highest 12% above MA |
40.4±1.8Lowest about the MA average |
42.2±2.2 6% above MA |
44.6±1.6Highest 12% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 18.6%±1.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
21.1%±3.5Highest MA: 19.4% |
20.8%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±1.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Whitman 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% |
15.5%±2.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
20.4%±2.2 MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 55% MA: 47.3% |
31.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
55.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
55% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.6%±1Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.1%±1.2 MA: 7.9% |
4.7%±1.4Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $128,955±$10kHighest 24% above MA |
$108,933±$14kLowest 5% above MA |
$113,964±$10k 10% above MA |
$128,955±$10kHighest 24% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $661,800±$16k 18% above MA |
$472,700±$12kLowest 16% below MA |
$671,900±$26kHighest 20% above MA |
$661,800±$16k 18% above MA |
| 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 16% above MA |
$1,771±$151Lowest about the MA average |
$2,035±$142 15% above MA |
$2,042±$182Highest 16% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,918Highest 32% above MA |
$5,824Lowest about the MA average |
$6,523 9% above MA |
$7,918Highest 32% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.4%±10 MA: 51.8% |
61.9%±13.4Highest MA: 51.8% |
41.9%±8.2Lowest MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±10 MA: 51.8% |
| Whitman and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.6% MA: 10% |
7.9%Highest MA: 10% |
5.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
5.6% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
71.4% MA: 62.5% |
71%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
73.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1956Lowest 8 yrs older than MA |
1957 7 yrs older than MA |
1964Highest same as MA |
1956Lowest 8 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min about the MA average |
36 minHighest 24% above MA |
28 minLowest 4% below MA |
29 min about the MA average |
| Work from home | 20%±2.7 MA: 18.6% |
10.8%±2.4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
24.6%±3.6Highest MA: 18.6% |
20%±2.7 MA: 18.6% |
| 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 | #191 of 282 in MA | #117 of 282 in MA | #119 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Dedham | Whitman-Hanson | Stoneham | — |
| High school in town | Dedham High | None in town | Stoneham High | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.4Lowest |
— | 10.7Highest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.