Compare towns
Dover vs Everett vs Worcester vs Sherborn
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dover has the most expensive homes ($1308k median).
Everett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+17.8%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($374k median).
Sherborn has the most kids (29.2% under 18).
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 | Dover | Everett | Worcester | Sherborn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,308Lowest |
50,045 |
207,055Highest |
4,427 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.3% MA: +7.4% |
+17.8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+14.1% MA: +7.4% |
+6.8%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 47.5±4Highest 19% above MA |
35.2±1.5 12% below MA |
33.9±0.5Lowest 15% below MA |
42.8±2.3 7% above MA |
| Dover and Sherborn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.9%±4.8 MA: 19.4% |
21.8%±2.1 MA: 19.4% |
19.6%±0.8Lowest MA: 19.4% |
29.2%±4.8Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 15.5%±3.5 MA: 17.9% |
11.3%±1.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
13.3%±0.6 MA: 17.9% |
16.3%±3.3Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Sherborn and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 83.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
24.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
35.2% MA: 47.3% |
82.3% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 9.4%±4.8 MA: 7.9% |
6.3%±0.9 MA: 7.9% |
14.1%±0.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.1%±1.6Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Worcester and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$85,218±$7k 18% below MA |
$70,102±$2kLowest 33% below MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,308,300±$149kHighest 133% above MA |
$610,000±$23k 9% above MA |
$374,400±$7kLowest 33% below MA |
$1,026,800±$72k 83% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $2,076±$69 18% above MA |
$1,487±$38Lowest 16% below MA |
$2,338±$316Highest 33% above MA |
| Sherborn and Everett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$4,880 19% below MA |
$4,733Lowest 21% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 100%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±5.8 MA: 51.8% |
54.2%±2.9 MA: 51.8% |
48%±26.3Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Dover and Everett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.3% MA: 10% |
14.7% MA: 10% |
19.6%Highest MA: 10% |
3.1%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
37.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
42.8% MA: 62.5% |
89.2% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1951 13 yrs older than MA |
1968Highest 4 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 26% above MA |
35 min 20% above MA |
24 minLowest 17% below MA |
35 min 21% above MA |
| Work from home | 37.4%±8.8 MA: 18.6% |
10.5%±2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
11.5%±1 MA: 18.6% |
49.1%±7.7Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Sherborn and Dover 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 | #1 of 282 in MA | #264 of 282 in MA | #266 of 282 in MA | #53 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Everett | Ma Academy for Math and Science · Worcester | Sherborn |
| High school in town | — | Everett High | South High Community | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.1Lowest |
14.6Highest |
— |
| 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.