Compare towns
Everett vs Dover vs Needham vs Lowell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Everett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+17.8%).
Dover has the most homeowners (97.9%).
Needham has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Lowell has the most affordable homes ($429k 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 | Everett | Dover | Needham | Lowell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 50,045 |
2,308Lowest |
32,459 |
118,368Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +17.8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+8.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+11.1% MA: +7.4% |
+8.5% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 35.2±1.5Lowest 12% below MA |
47.5±4Highest 19% above MA |
43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
35.6±0.8 11% below MA |
| Dover and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.8%±2.1 MA: 19.4% |
20.9%±4.8Lowest MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
21.7%±1.3 MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 11.3%±1.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±3.5 MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
12.6%±0.8 MA: 17.9% |
| Needham and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 24.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
83.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
81.9% MA: 47.3% |
30% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.3%±0.9 MA: 7.9% |
9.4%±4.8 MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
9.7%±0.6Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Lowell and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $85,218±$7k 18% below MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$214,308±$13k 106% above MA |
$78,658±$4kLowest 24% below MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $610,000±$23k 9% above MA |
$1,308,300±$149kHighest 133% above MA |
$1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$429,200±$11kLowest 24% below MA |
| Dover and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,076±$69 18% above MA |
— | $2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
$1,625±$40Lowest 8% below MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,880 19% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$4,499Lowest 25% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.4%±5.8 MA: 51.8% |
100%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
52.4%±3.8Lowest 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 | 14.7% MA: 10% |
3.3%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.7% MA: 10% |
16.9%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 37.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
83.1% MA: 62.5% |
43.2% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1967Highest 3 yrs newer than MA |
1965 1 yr newer than MA |
1953 11 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 min 20% above MA |
37 minHighest 26% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
28 min 4% below MA |
| Work from home | 10.5%±2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
37.4%±8.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4 MA: 18.6% |
10.6%±1.3 MA: 18.6% |
| Dover and Needham 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 | #264 of 282 in MA | #1 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #255 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Everett | — | — | Lowell |
| High school in town | Everett High | — | — | Lowell High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.1Lowest |
— | — | 14.8Highest |
| 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.