Compare towns
Hingham vs Needham vs Newfields vs Acton
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 oldest population (median age 48.4).
Needham has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Newfields has the most affordable homes ($646k median).
Acton has the most people working from home (35.9%).
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 | Newfields | Acton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 24,283 |
32,459Highest |
2,023Lowest |
24,155 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +9.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.4±2.4Highest 24% above U.S. |
43.1±1.6Lowest 11% above U.S. |
44.1±1.8 13% above U.S. |
44.5±0.8 14% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 23.4%±2.1 U.S.: 22% |
27.5%±2.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.9%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.2%±2.5 U.S.: 22% |
| Needham and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26%±2.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.7%±1.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
13.6%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.6%±1.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 76.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
81.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
68.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
79.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±1.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
7.5%±7.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.9%±1.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Newfields and Needham 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. |
$214,308±$13kHighest 165% above U.S. |
$197,885±$15k 145% above U.S. |
$158,230±$14kLowest 96% above U.S. |
| Needham and Newfields 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 241% above U.S. |
$1,188,500±$43kHighest 257% above U.S. |
$646,400±$34kLowest 94% above U.S. |
$807,300±$20k 143% above U.S. |
| Needham 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 74% above U.S. |
$2,409±$183 70% above U.S. |
$1,875±$323Lowest 33% above U.S. |
$1,986±$155 41% above U.S. |
| Hingham and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+ at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+ at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+ at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+ at least 221% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 60.3%±12Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
55.9%±8.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
43.3%±40.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
47.7%±11.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hingham and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
83.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
95.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
74.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1965Lowest 15 yrs older than U.S. |
1991Highest 11 yrs newer than U.S. |
1974 6 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 36 minHighest 37% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
26 minLowest about the U.S. average |
35 min 31% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 33.1%±3.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
32.4%±2.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
25.5%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
35.9%±4.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Acton 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 | #19 of 282 in MA | — | #13 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Hingham | Needham | Newfields School District | Acton-Boxborough |
| High school in town | Hingham High | Needham High | None in town | Acton-Boxborough Regional High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.9 |
11.9Lowest |
— | 13.5Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.