Compare towns
Hingham vs Dover vs Dedham vs Acton
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 oldest population (median age 48.4).
Dover has the highest household income ($250k).
Dedham has the most affordable homes ($662k median).
Acton has the youngest population (median age 44.5).
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 | Dover | Dedham | Acton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 24,283 |
2,308Lowest |
25,237Highest |
24,155 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+8.3% MA: +7.4% |
+2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+9.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.4±2.4Highest 21% above MA |
47.5±4 19% above MA |
44.6±1.6 12% above MA |
44.5±0.8Lowest 11% above MA |
| Hingham and Dover 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% |
20.9%±4.8 MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±1.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
23.2%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
| Hingham and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26%±2.6Highest MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±3.5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2 MA: 17.9% |
17.6%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
| Hingham and Dedham 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% |
83.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
55%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
79.5% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±0.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
9.4%±4.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1 MA: 7.9% |
4.9%±1.2 MA: 7.9% |
| Dover and Dedham 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 |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$128,955±$10kLowest 24% above MA |
$158,230±$14k 52% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,134,200±$47k 102% above MA |
$1,308,300±$149kHighest 133% above MA |
$661,800±$16kLowest 18% above MA |
$807,300±$20k 44% above MA |
| Dover and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,465±$603Highest 40% above MA |
— | $2,042±$182 16% above MA |
$1,986±$155Lowest 13% above MA |
| Hingham and Dedham 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 |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$7,918Lowest 32% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 60.3%±12 MA: 51.8% |
100%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±10 MA: 51.8% |
47.7%±11.3Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Dover 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% |
3.3%Lowest MA: 10% |
5.6%Highest MA: 10% |
3.4% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7% MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
73.4%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
74.9% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 12 yrs newer than MA |
1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1956Lowest 8 yrs older than MA |
1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 36 min 24% above MA |
37 minHighest 26% above MA |
29 minLowest about the MA average |
35 min 19% above MA |
| Work from home | 33.1%±3.3 MA: 18.6% |
37.4%±8.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
20%±2.7Lowest MA: 18.6% |
35.9%±4.6 MA: 18.6% |
| Dover and Acton 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 | #1 of 282 in MA | #119 of 282 in MA | #13 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Hingham | — | Dedham | Acton-Boxborough |
| High school in town | Hingham High | — | Dedham High | Acton-Boxborough Regional High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.9 |
— | 10.4Lowest |
13.5Highest |
| 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.