Compare towns

Hingham vs North Eastham 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 most expensive homes ($1134k median).
North Eastham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+27.1%).
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.

MeasureHinghamNorth EasthamActon
People
Population
24,283Highest
2,085Lowest
24,155
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+27.1%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+9.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
48.4±2.4
21% above MA
62.9±4.4Highest
57% above MA
44.5±0.8Lowest
11% above MA
Kids under 18
23.4%±2.1Highest
MA: 19.4%
10.7%±4.8Lowest
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%±2.6
MA: 17.9%
47%±7.7Highest
MA: 17.9%
17.6%±1.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
76.2%
MA: 47.3%
49.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
79.5%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±0.9
MA: 7.9%
1.7%±2.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.9%±1.2Highest
MA: 7.9%
Acton and Hingham 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
72% above MA
$77,442±$5kLowest
26% below MA
$158,230±$14k
52% above MA
Hingham and Acton 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
102% above MA
$689,300±$88kLowest
23% above MA
$807,300±$20k
44% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,465±$603Highest
40% above MA
$1,688±$118Lowest
4% below MA
$1,986±$155
13% above MA
Hingham and Acton 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
$4,789Lowest
20% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
60.3%±12
MA: 51.8%
74%±50.6Highest
MA: 51.8%
47.7%±11.3Lowest
MA: 51.8%
North Eastham 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%
10.1%Highest
MA: 10%
3.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
MA: 62.5%
91%Highest
MA: 62.5%
74.9%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
12 yrs newer than MA
1968Lowest
4 yrs newer than MA
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
36 minHighest
24% above MA
22 minLowest
25% below MA
35 min
19% above MA
Work from home
33.1%±3.3
MA: 18.6%
20.9%±9.2Lowest
MA: 18.6%
35.9%±4.6Highest
MA: 18.6%
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 — #13 of 282 in MA
School district Hingham — Acton-Boxborough
High school in town Hingham High — Acton-Boxborough Regional High
Students per teacherat that high school
12.9Lowest
—
13.5Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.