What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lexington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.7%).

Wellesley has the most expensive homes ($1583k median).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Lexington	Wellesley
People
Population	34,295Highest	30,347Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+9.7%Highest MA: +7.4%	+5.6%Lowest MA: +7.4%
Median age	47.3±0.8Highest 18% above MA	37.1±2.2Lowest 7% below MA
Kids under 18	25.5%±1.8Highest MA: 19.4%	24.1%±2Lowest MA: 19.4%
	Lexington and Wellesley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	21.7%±1.8Highest MA: 17.9%	15.5%±1.3Lowest MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	84.3%Lowest MA: 47.3%	89%Highest MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	3.8%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9%	18.3%±0.7Highest MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$238,444±$18kLowest 129% above MA	$250,001Highest 140% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$1,203,100±$35kLowest 114% above MA	$1,582,700±$49kHighest 182% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$2,891±$233Highest 64% above MA	$2,886±$360Lowest 64% above MA
	Lexington and Wellesley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$10,000+ at least 67% above MA	$10,000+ at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	50.1%±7.1Highest MA: 51.8%	44.1%±8.2Lowest MA: 51.8%
	Lexington and Wellesley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	4.7%Highest MA: 10%	4%Lowest MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	80.5%Lowest MA: 62.5%	84.4%Highest MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year	1965Highest 1 yr newer than MA	1955Lowest 9 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	31 minHighest 5% above MA	27 minLowest 7% below MA
Work from home	36.7%±3Highest MA: 18.6%	32%±2.9Lowest MA: 18.6%
	Lexington and Wellesley 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	#2 of 282 in MA	#6 of 282 in MA
School district	Lexington	Wellesley
High school in town	Lexington High	Wellesley Sr High
Students per teacherat that high school	11.4Highest	10.8Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.