Compare towns

Leyden vs Dedham vs Heath

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Leyden has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Dedham has the most expensive homes ($662k median).
Heath has the most people working from home (31.7%).

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.

MeasureLeydenDedhamHeath
People
Population
637Lowest
25,237Highest
765
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+2.6%
MA: +7.4%
+2.4%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
53.2±8.2
33% above MA
44.6±1.6Lowest
12% above MA
53.8±11.9Highest
35% above MA
Heath and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.8%±3.6
MA: 19.4%
18.6%±1.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
13.1%±2.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Dedham and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.6%±2.7
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
33.6%±8.2Highest
MA: 17.9%
Heath and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
40%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
55%Highest
MA: 47.3%
46.8%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.5%±2.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.3%±2.8
MA: 7.9%
Dedham and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$105,893±$13k
about the MA average
$128,955±$10kHighest
24% above MA
$98,750±$23kLowest
5% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$372,900±$24k
34% below MA
$661,800±$16kHighest
18% above MA
$295,000±$45kLowest
48% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,917±$451Lowest
9% above MA
$2,042±$182Highest
16% above MA
—
Dedham and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,651
22% below MA
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
$4,438Lowest
26% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.9%±100
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±10Highest
MA: 51.8%
40%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Dedham and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.8%Highest
MA: 10%
5.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
6.6%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
73.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
88.3%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
12 yrs newer than MA
1956Lowest
8 yrs older than MA
1981Highest
17 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 min
12% above MA
29 minLowest
about the MA average
35 minHighest
20% above MA
Work from home
11%±5Lowest
MA: 18.6%
20%±2.7
MA: 18.6%
31.7%±17.1Highest
MA: 18.6%
Heath and Dedham 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 — #119 of 282 in MA —
School district — Dedham —
High school in town — Dedham High —
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.4
—
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.