Compare towns
Everett vs Springfield vs Needham vs Medford
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%).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Needham has the highest household income ($214k).
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 | Springfield | Needham | Medford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 50,045 |
154,749Highest |
32,459Lowest |
59,354 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +17.8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+1.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+11.1% MA: +7.4% |
+6.2% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 35.2±1.5 12% below MA |
33.7±0.5Lowest 16% below MA |
43.1±1.6Highest 8% above MA |
35.9±1 10% below MA |
| Kids under 18 | 21.8%±2.1 MA: 19.4% |
24.2%±0.9 MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
12.7%±1.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 11.3%±1.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
13.2%±0.7 MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
15.2%±1.3 MA: 17.9% |
| Needham and Medford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 24.9% MA: 47.3% |
20.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
59.8% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.3%±0.9 MA: 7.9% |
7.5%±0.5 MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
11.2%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $85,218±$7k 18% below MA |
$52,656±$2kLowest 49% below MA |
$214,308±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
$129,540±$8k 25% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $610,000±$23k 9% above MA |
$245,000±$4kLowest 56% below MA |
$1,188,500±$43kHighest 111% above MA |
$755,500±$23k 34% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,076±$69 18% above MA |
$1,144±$55Lowest 35% below MA |
$2,409±$183 37% above MA |
$2,509±$94Highest 42% above MA |
| Medford and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,880 19% below MA |
$3,695Lowest 38% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$6,286 5% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.4%±5.8 MA: 51.8% |
57.7%±3.1Highest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
41.1%±4.9Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Springfield 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% |
25.8%Highest MA: 10% |
3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
7.6% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 37.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
49.6% MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
54.1% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1952 12 yrs older than MA |
1965Highest 1 yr newer than MA |
1942 22 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 20% above MA |
20 minLowest 31% below MA |
28 min 5% below MA |
30 min 4% above MA |
| Work from home | 10.5%±2 MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±0.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
26.8%±2.4 MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #264 of 282 in MA | #276 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #203 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Everett | Springfield | Needham | Medford |
| High school in town | Everett High | Springfield Central High | Needham High | Medford High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.1 |
12.2Highest |
11.9 |
9.2Lowest |
| 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.