Compare towns

Everett vs Oakham vs Chelsea

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Everett has the most expensive homes ($610k median).
Oakham has the most homeowners (91.6%).
Chelsea has the most renters (74% 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.

MeasureEverettOakhamChelsea
People
Population
50,045Highest
1,639Lowest
39,908
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+17.8%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-2.7%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+15.9%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
35.2±1.5
12% below MA
49±2.3Highest
23% above MA
34.4±1.3Lowest
14% below MA
Kids under 18
21.8%±2.1
MA: 19.4%
18.2%±3.1Lowest
MA: 19.4%
24.4%±2.1Highest
MA: 19.4%
Chelsea and Everett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
11.3%±1.1
MA: 17.9%
21.4%±2.3Highest
MA: 17.9%
10.5%±1.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
24.9%
MA: 47.3%
40.3%Highest
MA: 47.3%
22.2%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.3%±0.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.8%±2.1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5%±1
MA: 7.9%
Everett and Chelsea 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
$102,000±$20kHighest
about the MA average
$72,179±$8kLowest
31% below MA
Oakham and Everett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$610,000±$23kHighest
9% above MA
$420,100±$20kLowest
25% below MA
$493,500±$24k
12% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,076±$69Highest
18% above MA
$1,174±$81Lowest
33% below MA
$1,956±$96
11% above MA
Everett and Chelsea are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,880Highest
19% below MA
$4,103
32% below MA
$3,321Lowest
45% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.4%±5.8
MA: 51.8%
27.8%±69.1Lowest
MA: 51.8%
59.4%±5.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
Chelsea 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%
4.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
20.7%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
37.2%
MA: 62.5%
91.6%Highest
MA: 62.5%
26%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1979Highest
15 yrs newer than MA
1941
23 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
35 min
20% above MA
39 minHighest
32% above MA
33 minLowest
13% above MA
Work from home
10.5%±2Highest
MA: 18.6%
9.6%±3.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
10.4%±2.2
MA: 18.6%
Everett and Chelsea 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 — #280 of 282 in MA
School district Everett Quabbin Chelsea
High school in town Everett High None in town Chelsea High
Students per teacherat that high school
12.1Lowest
—
13.1Highest
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.