Compare towns
Dorset vs Dedham vs Fayston
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
Dedham has the most expensive homes ($662k median).
Fayston has the most affordable homes ($502k 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 | Dorset | Dedham | Fayston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,092 |
25,237Highest |
1,342Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+0.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.9±7.5 18% above U.S. |
44.6±1.6Lowest 15% above U.S. |
46.9±3.5Highest 21% above U.S. |
| Fayston and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
19.3%±3.8 U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and Fayston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±4.5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.6%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
55%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
66.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.6%±1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.1%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Dedham and Fayston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $111,250±$40k 38% above U.S. |
$128,955±$10kHighest 60% above U.S. |
$110,250±$28kLowest 37% above U.S. |
| Dedham and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $569,200±$57k 71% above U.S. |
$661,800±$16kHighest 99% above U.S. |
$502,400±$82kLowest 51% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,420±$296Lowest about the U.S. average |
$2,042±$182Highest 45% above U.S. |
$1,654±$274 17% above U.S. |
| Dedham and Fayston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,489 140% above U.S. |
$7,918Highest 154% above U.S. |
$6,689Lowest 114% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
56.4%±10 U.S.: 51.1% |
6.3%±27.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
4.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
73.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
87% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1956Lowest 24 yrs older than U.S. |
1977Highest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 18% below U.S. |
29 minHighest 11% above U.S. |
29 minHighest 11% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
20%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
26.2%±5.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dorset and Fayston 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 | — |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Dedham | Harwood Unified Union School District #60 |
| High school in town | None in town | Dedham High | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.4 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.