Compare towns
Dover vs Needham vs Otis 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).
Needham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Otis has the most affordable homes ($397k median).
Sherborn has the most people working from home (49.1%).
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 | Needham | Otis | Sherborn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,308 |
32,459Highest |
1,624Lowest |
4,427 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.3% MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+1.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+6.8% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 47.5±4 19% above MA |
43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
51±3.2Highest 28% above MA |
42.8±2.3Lowest 7% above MA |
| Otis and Dover 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% |
27.5%±2.2 MA: 19.4% |
15.1%±4.8Lowest MA: 19.4% |
29.2%±4.8Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Sherborn and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.5%±3.5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
28%±3.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
16.3%±3.3 MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 83.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
81.9% MA: 47.3% |
39.2%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
82.3% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 9.4%±4.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
2.9%±2.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
3.1%±1.6 MA: 7.9% |
| Dover and Needham 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 |
$214,308±$13k 106% above MA |
$108,898±$6kLowest 5% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,308,300±$149kHighest 133% above MA |
$1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$396,700±$40kLowest 29% below MA |
$1,026,800±$72k 83% above MA |
| Dover and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
$1,318±$924Lowest 25% below MA |
$2,338±$316 33% above MA |
| Needham and Sherborn 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 |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$2,408Lowest 60% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 100%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
63.3%±100 MA: 51.8% |
48%±26.3Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Dover and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.3% MA: 10% |
3.7%Highest MA: 10% |
1.2%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.1% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
89.7% MA: 62.5% |
89.2% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
1974Highest 10 yrs newer than MA |
1968 4 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 26% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
34 min 15% above MA |
35 min 21% above MA |
| Work from home | 37.4%±8.8 MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4 MA: 18.6% |
22.3%±7.7Lowest 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 | #19 of 282 in MA | — | #53 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Needham | Farmington River Reg | Sherborn |
| High school in town | — | Needham High | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.9 |
— | — |
| 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.