Compare towns

Easthampton vs Dedham vs Holyoke

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Easthampton has the oldest population (median age 46).
Dedham has the highest household income ($129k).
Holyoke has the most renters (58.7% rent).

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.

MeasureEasthamptonDedhamHolyoke
People
Population
16,086Lowest
25,237
37,813Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+2.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-4.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
46±2.6Highest
15% above MA
44.6±1.6
12% above MA
40±1.6Lowest
about the MA average
Easthampton and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.5%±2.4Lowest
MA: 19.4%
18.6%±1.9
MA: 19.4%
21.4%±1.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
Holyoke and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.9%±3Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2
MA: 17.9%
20.1%±1.6Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Easthampton and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
38%
MA: 47.3%
55%Highest
MA: 47.3%
25.9%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.1%±1.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1
MA: 7.9%
3.4%±0.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Easthampton and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$71,673±$7k
31% below MA
$128,955±$10kHighest
24% above MA
$53,605±$3kLowest
48% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$371,500±$15k
34% below MA
$661,800±$16kHighest
18% above MA
$274,100±$8kLowest
51% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,292±$70
27% below MA
$2,042±$182Highest
16% above MA
$1,021±$60Lowest
42% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,932
18% below MA
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
$4,065Lowest
32% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.5%±10.7Lowest
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±10Highest
MA: 51.8%
51.7%±5.4
MA: 51.8%
Dedham and Holyoke are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8%
MA: 10%
5.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
27%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
58.4%
MA: 62.5%
73.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
41.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1966Highest
2 yrs newer than MA
1956
8 yrs older than MA
1950Lowest
14 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 min
23% below MA
29 minHighest
about the MA average
19 minLowest
34% below MA
Work from home
19%±3.2
MA: 18.6%
20%±2.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
11.1%±2.5Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Dedham and Easthampton 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 #92 of 282 in MA #119 of 282 in MA #281 of 282 in MA
School district Easthampton Dedham Holyoke · Springfield
High school in town Easthampton High Dedham High Holyoke High
Students per teacherat that high school
9.8Lowest
10.4
12.5Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.