Compare towns

Hingham vs Dalton vs Marblehead

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hingham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.6%).
Dalton has the most affordable homes ($296k median).
Marblehead has the most homeowners (85.2%).

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.

MeasureHinghamDaltonMarblehead
People
Population
24,283Highest
6,256Lowest
20,413
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-6.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+3.2%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
48.4±2.4Lowest
21% above MA
49.7±5.8Highest
24% above MA
49.1±2
23% above MA
Dalton and Marblehead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.4%±2.1Highest
MA: 19.4%
20.6%±4.7Lowest
MA: 19.4%
22.3%±2.5
MA: 19.4%
Hingham and Marblehead 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%
27.9%±5.7Highest
MA: 17.9%
22.7%±2.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Dalton 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%
MA: 47.3%
44.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
78.3%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±0.9
MA: 7.9%
2.3%±1.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3.8%±1Highest
MA: 7.9%
Marblehead and Hingham 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
$79,438±$8kLowest
24% below MA
$182,132±$28kHighest
75% above MA
Marblehead 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
$295,700±$26kLowest
47% below MA
$943,900±$31k
68% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,465±$603Highest
40% above MA
$872±$70Lowest
51% below MA
$1,764±$147
about the MA average
Hingham and Marblehead 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
$4,276Lowest
29% below MA
$8,309
39% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
60.3%±12Highest
MA: 51.8%
41.2%±19Lowest
MA: 51.8%
49.5%±8.8
MA: 51.8%
Hingham and Marblehead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%Lowest
MA: 10%
7.4%Highest
MA: 10%
4.4%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
MA: 62.5%
70.7%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
85.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
12 yrs newer than MA
1957
7 yrs older than MA
1944Lowest
20 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
36 minHighest
24% above MA
22 minLowest
24% below MA
33 min
13% above MA
Work from home
33.1%±3.3
MA: 18.6%
12.5%±7.1Lowest
MA: 18.6%
34%±3.6Highest
MA: 18.6%
Marblehead and Hingham 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 #192 of 282 in MA #47 of 282 in MA
School district Hingham Central Berkshire Marblehead
High school in town Hingham High Wahconah Regional High Marblehead High
Students per teacherat that high school
12.9Highest
10.9
10.7Lowest
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.