Compare towns
Hingham vs Needham vs Lancaster vs Lexington
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).
Needham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Lancaster has the most affordable homes ($519k median).
Lexington has the highest household income ($238k).
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 | Needham | Lancaster | Lexington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 24,283 |
32,459 |
8,606Lowest |
34,295Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.6% MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+4.8%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+9.7% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.4±2.4Highest 21% above MA |
43.1±1.6Lowest 8% above MA |
43.1±4.9Lowest 8% above MA |
47.3±0.8 18% above MA |
| Hingham and Lexington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 23.4%±2.1 MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
19.2%±4Lowest MA: 19.4% |
25.5%±1.8 MA: 19.4% |
| Needham and Lexington 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% |
17.7%±1.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
19.9%±4.2 MA: 17.9% |
21.7%±1.8 MA: 17.9% |
| Hingham and Lexington 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% |
81.9% MA: 47.3% |
50.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
84.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±0.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
3%±1.8 MA: 7.9% |
3.8%±0.7 MA: 7.9% |
| Needham and Lexington 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 |
$214,308±$13k 106% above MA |
$134,833±$27kLowest 30% above MA |
$238,444±$18kHighest 129% above MA |
| Lexington and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,134,200±$47k 102% above MA |
$1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$519,100±$60kLowest 8% below MA |
$1,203,100±$35kHighest 114% above MA |
| Lexington and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,465±$603 40% above MA |
$2,409±$183 37% above MA |
$2,338±$539Lowest 33% above MA |
$2,891±$233Highest 64% above MA |
| Lexington and Hingham 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 |
$7,235Lowest 21% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 60.3%±12 MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
68.3%±36.7Highest MA: 51.8% |
50.1%±7.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Lancaster 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% |
3.7% MA: 10% |
1.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
4.7%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7% MA: 62.5% |
83.1% MA: 62.5% |
85.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
80.5%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 12 yrs newer than MA |
1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
1971 7 yrs newer than MA |
1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 36 minHighest 24% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
32 min 9% above MA |
31 min 5% above MA |
| Work from home | 33.1%±3.3 MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
33.6%±9.1 MA: 18.6% |
36.7%±3Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Lexington and Lancaster 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 | #19 of 282 in MA | #145 of 282 in MA | #2 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Hingham | Needham | Nashoba | Lexington |
| High school in town | Hingham High | Needham High | None in town | Lexington High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.9Highest |
11.9 |
— | 11.4Lowest |
| 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.