Compare towns

Hingham vs Hooksett vs Hull vs Norwell

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hingham has the most expensive homes ($1134k median).
Hooksett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+27.4%).
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.

MeasureHinghamHooksettHullNorwell
People
Population
24,283Highest
5,876Lowest
10,138
11,361
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+27.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+8%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
48.4±2.4
24% above U.S.
42.6±2
10% above U.S.
56.1±1.8Highest
44% above U.S.
39.2±1.4Lowest
about the U.S. average
Kids under 18
23.4%±2.1
U.S.: 22%
14.7%±3.6
U.S.: 22%
11.4%±2.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
28.5%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
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
U.S.: 17.2%
20.7%±3.9
U.S.: 17.2%
26.1%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
16.1%±2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
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
U.S.: 35.7%
41.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
50.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
69.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
6.2%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.2%±2.2
U.S.: 6.4%
4%±1.4
U.S.: 6.4%
Hooksett 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
121% above U.S.
$101,053±$25kLowest
25% above U.S.
$115,485±$14k
43% above U.S.
$188,699±$25kHighest
134% above U.S.
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
241% above U.S.
$348,100±$32kLowest
5% above U.S.
$646,000±$38k
94% above U.S.
$865,700±$35k
160% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,465±$603Highest
74% above U.S.
$1,811±$283Lowest
28% above U.S.
$2,081±$187
47% above U.S.
$2,215±$336
57% above U.S.
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 221% above U.S.
$4,960Lowest
59% above U.S.
$6,089
95% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
60.3%±12
U.S.: 51.1%
46%±20.2Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
52.8%±14
U.S.: 51.1%
67.1%±24.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
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%
U.S.: 12.5%
4%
U.S.: 12.5%
5.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
2.7%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
72.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
79.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
91.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
4 yrs older than U.S.
1987Highest
7 yrs newer than U.S.
1946Lowest
34 yrs older than U.S.
1968
12 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
36 minHighest
37% above U.S.
29 minLowest
11% above U.S.
33 min
26% above U.S.
35 min
34% above U.S.
Work from home
33.1%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.4%±4.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
19.7%±4.3
U.S.: 15.1%
27.1%±4.5
U.S.: 15.1%
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 #30 of 120 in NH #66 of 282 in MA #80 of 282 in MA
School district Hingham — — Norwell
High school in town Hingham High — — Norwell High
Students per teacherat that high school
12.9Highest
— —
11.7Lowest
On TownTapestry
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U.S. 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.