Compare towns
Hingham vs Ayer vs Hull vs Norwell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hingham has the most expensive homes ($1134k median).
Ayer has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
Hull has the oldest population (median age 56.1).
Norwell has the most kids (28.5% under 18).
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 | Hingham | Ayer | Hull | Norwell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 24,283Highest |
8,645Lowest |
10,138 |
11,361 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.6% MA: +7.4% |
+14.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-2.1%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+8% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.4±2.4 21% above MA |
39.2±2.8Lowest about the MA average |
56.1±1.8Highest 40% above MA |
39.2±1.4Lowest about the MA average |
| Kids under 18 | 23.4%±2.1 MA: 19.4% |
20.3%±3.9 MA: 19.4% |
11.4%±2.2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
28.5%±3.6Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Norwell and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26%±2.6 MA: 17.9% |
14.5%±2.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
26.1%±3.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
16.1%±2 MA: 17.9% |
| Hull and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 76.2%Highest MA: 47.3% |
42.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
50.4% MA: 47.3% |
69.6% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±0.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.5%±1.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.2%±2.2 MA: 7.9% |
4%±1.4 MA: 7.9% |
| Ayer and Hull are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $178,390±$15k 72% above MA |
$101,875±$15kLowest about the MA average |
$115,485±$14k 11% above MA |
$188,699±$25kHighest 82% above MA |
| Norwell and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,134,200±$47kHighest 102% above MA |
$463,800±$29kLowest 17% below MA |
$646,000±$38k 15% above MA |
$865,700±$35k 54% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,465±$603Highest 40% above MA |
$1,415±$180Lowest 20% below MA |
$2,081±$187 18% above MA |
$2,215±$336 26% above MA |
| Hingham and Norwell 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 |
$5,057Lowest 16% below MA |
$6,089 about the MA average |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 60.3%±12 MA: 51.8% |
45.1%±14.2Lowest MA: 51.8% |
52.8%±14 MA: 51.8% |
67.1%±24.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Norwell and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.3% MA: 10% |
10.7%Highest MA: 10% |
5.8% MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7% MA: 62.5% |
69.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
79.6% MA: 62.5% |
91.6%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 12 yrs newer than MA |
1977Highest 13 yrs newer than MA |
1946Lowest 18 yrs older than MA |
1968 4 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 36 minHighest 24% above MA |
33 minLowest 13% above MA |
33 min 14% above MA |
35 min 21% above MA |
| Work from home | 33.1%±3.3Highest MA: 18.6% |
21.6%±5.9 MA: 18.6% |
19.7%±4.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
27.1%±4.5 MA: 18.6% |
| Hingham and Norwell 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 | #14 of 282 in MA | #113 of 282 in MA | #66 of 282 in MA | #80 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Hingham | Ayer Shirley School District | Hull | Norwell |
| High school in town | Hingham High | Ayer Shirley Regional High School | Hull High | Norwell High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.9Highest |
11.5 |
8.8Lowest |
11.7 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 12 photos → | 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.