Compare towns
Hingham vs Hull vs Salem
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.6%).
Hull has the oldest population (median age 56.1).
Salem has the most affordable homes ($473k median).
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 | Hull | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 24,283 |
10,138Lowest |
30,964Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.4±2.4 24% above U.S. |
56.1±1.8Highest 44% above U.S. |
44.6±2.7Lowest 15% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 23.4%±2.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
11.4%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
16.2%±2.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 26%±2.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
26.1%±3.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.6%±1.7Lowest 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% |
50.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
38.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.2%±2.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Salem 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±$15kHighest 121% above U.S. |
$115,485±$14k 43% above U.S. |
$110,490±$9kLowest 37% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,134,200±$47kHighest 241% above U.S. |
$646,000±$38k 94% above U.S. |
$473,300±$16kLowest 42% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,465±$603Highest 74% above U.S. |
$2,081±$187 47% above U.S. |
$1,625±$146Lowest 15% above U.S. |
| Hingham and Hull 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. |
$6,089Lowest 95% above U.S. |
$6,992 124% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 60.3%±12Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
52.8%±14 U.S.: 51.1% |
44.5%±9.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hingham and Hull are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
75.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1946Lowest 34 yrs older than U.S. |
1977Highest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 36 minHighest 37% above U.S. |
33 min 26% above U.S. |
29 minLowest 10% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 33.1%±3.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
19.7%±4.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.3%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #14 of 282 in MA | #66 of 282 in MA | #38 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Hingham | — | Salem School District |
| High school in town | Hingham High | — | Salem High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.9Highest |
— | 11.2Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
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.