Compare towns
Lawrence vs Wellesley vs Everett vs Andover
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lawrence has the most affordable homes ($415k median).
Wellesley has the most expensive homes ($1583k median).
Everett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+17.8%).
Andover has the oldest population (median age 42.9).
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 | Lawrence | Wellesley | Everett | Andover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 88,736Highest |
30,347Lowest |
50,045 |
36,652 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +16.7% MA: +7.4% |
+5.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+17.8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+10.1% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 32.6±0.9Lowest 19% below MA |
37.1±2.2 7% below MA |
35.2±1.5 12% below MA |
42.9±1Highest 7% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 26.3%±1.6Highest MA: 19.4% |
24.1%±2 MA: 19.4% |
21.8%±2.1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
23.6%±1.8 MA: 19.4% |
| Lawrence and Wellesley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 10.5%±0.9Lowest MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±1.3 MA: 17.9% |
11.3%±1.1 MA: 17.9% |
16%±1.3Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Andover and Wellesley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 16.8%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
89%Highest MA: 47.3% |
24.9% MA: 47.3% |
75.6% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±0.8Lowest MA: 7.9% |
18.3%±0.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
6.3%±0.9 MA: 7.9% |
8.1%±0.8 MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $60,433±$3kLowest 42% below MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$85,218±$7k 18% below MA |
$172,606±$16k 66% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $415,200±$23kLowest 26% below MA |
$1,582,700±$49kHighest 182% above MA |
$610,000±$23k 9% above MA |
$855,600±$22k 52% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,662±$50Lowest 6% below MA |
$2,886±$360Highest 64% above MA |
$2,076±$69 18% above MA |
$2,201±$129 25% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,422Lowest 43% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$4,880 19% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 60.6%±3.6Highest MA: 51.8% |
44.1%±8.2 MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±5.8 MA: 51.8% |
39.7%±7.7Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Lawrence and Everett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 17.6%Highest MA: 10% |
4% MA: 10% |
14.7% MA: 10% |
2.9%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 28.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
84.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
37.2% MA: 62.5% |
79.9% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1950 14 yrs older than MA |
1955 9 yrs older than MA |
1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1973Highest 9 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest 21% below MA |
27 min 7% below MA |
35 minHighest 20% above MA |
29 min about the MA average |
| Work from home | 6.8%±1.2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32%±2.9Highest MA: 18.6% |
10.5%±2 MA: 18.6% |
30.4%±2.1 MA: 18.6% |
| Wellesley and Andover 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 | #278 of 282 in MA | #6 of 282 in MA | #264 of 282 in MA | #68 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Lawrence | — | Everett | Andover · Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical |
| High school in town | Lawrence High School | — | Everett High | Gr Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.6Highest |
— | 12.1Lowest |
12.8 |
| 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.