Compare towns

Leyden vs Marblehead 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 the most homeowners (93.4%).
Marblehead has the most expensive homes ($944k median).
Heath has the most affordable homes ($295k 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.

MeasureLeydenMarbleheadHeath
People
Population
637Lowest
20,413Highest
765
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+3.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+2.4%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
53.2±8.2
33% above MA
49.1±2Lowest
23% 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%
22.3%±2.5Highest
MA: 19.4%
13.1%±2.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Age 65+
28.6%±2.7
MA: 17.9%
22.7%±2.5Lowest
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%
78.3%Highest
MA: 47.3%
46.8%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.5%±2.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3.8%±1Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.3%±2.8
MA: 7.9%
Marblehead 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
$182,132±$28kHighest
75% above MA
$98,750±$23kLowest
5% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$372,900±$24k
34% below MA
$943,900±$31kHighest
68% above MA
$295,000±$45kLowest
48% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,917±$451Highest
9% above MA
$1,764±$147Lowest
about the MA average
—
Leyden and Marblehead 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
$8,309Highest
39% above MA
$4,438Lowest
26% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.9%±100
MA: 51.8%
49.5%±8.8Highest
MA: 51.8%
40%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Marblehead 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%
4.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
6.6%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
85.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
88.3%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
12 yrs newer than MA
1944Lowest
20 yrs older than MA
1981Highest
17 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minLowest
12% above MA
33 min
13% above MA
35 minHighest
20% above MA
Work from home
11%±5Lowest
MA: 18.6%
34%±3.6Highest
MA: 18.6%
31.7%±17.1
MA: 18.6%
Marblehead and Heath 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 — #47 of 282 in MA —
School district — Marblehead —
High school in town — Marblehead High —
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.7
—
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.