Compare towns

Hingham vs Plainfield vs Hull

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hingham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.6%).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($309k median).
Hull has the oldest population (median age 56.1).

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.

MeasureHinghamPlainfieldHull
People
Population
24,283Highest
616Lowest
10,138
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-2.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
-2.1%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
48.4±2.4Lowest
21% above MA
50.6±9.5
27% above MA
56.1±1.8Highest
40% above MA
Hull and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.4%±2.1Highest
MA: 19.4%
19%±9.3
MA: 19.4%
11.4%±2.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Hingham and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26%±2.6Lowest
MA: 17.9%
29.5%±7.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
26.1%±3.1
MA: 17.9%
Plainfield and Hull 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
MA: 47.3%
52.6%
MA: 47.3%
50.4%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±0.9Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.4%±2.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.2%±2.2
MA: 7.9%
Plainfield 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
72% above MA
$63,500±$14kLowest
39% below MA
$115,485±$14k
11% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,134,200±$47kHighest
102% above MA
$309,000±$47kLowest
45% below MA
$646,000±$38k
15% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,465±$603Highest
40% above MA
$1,292±$558Lowest
27% below MA
$2,081±$187
18% above MA
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 67% above MA
$4,458Lowest
26% below MA
$6,089
about the MA average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
60.3%±12Highest
MA: 51.8%
40%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
52.8%±14
MA: 51.8%
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
MA: 10%
16.9%Highest
MA: 10%
5.8%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
MA: 62.5%
98%Highest
MA: 62.5%
79.6%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
12 yrs newer than MA
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
1946Lowest
18 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
36 min
24% above MA
38 minHighest
30% above MA
33 minLowest
14% above MA
Work from home
33.1%±3.3Highest
MA: 18.6%
26.2%±8.8
MA: 18.6%
19.7%±4.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Hingham and Plainfield 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 — #66 of 282 in MA
School district Hingham — —
High school in town Hingham High — —
Students per teacherat that high school
12.9
— —
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.