Compare towns
Leyden vs Plainfield vs Stoneham
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 oldest population (median age 53.2).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($309k median).
Stoneham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.4%).
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 | Leyden | Plainfield | Stoneham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 637 |
616Lowest |
23,355Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.2% MA: +7.4% |
-2.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+8.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 53.2±8.2Highest 33% above MA |
50.6±9.5 27% above MA |
42.2±2.2Lowest 6% above MA |
| Leyden and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.8%±3.6Lowest MA: 19.4% |
19%±9.3 MA: 19.4% |
20.8%±2.5Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Stoneham and Plainfield 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% |
29.5%±7.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
20.4%±2.2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Plainfield 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% |
52.6% MA: 47.3% |
55.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.5%±2.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±2.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.7%±1.4 MA: 7.9% |
| Plainfield and Stoneham 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 |
$63,500±$14kLowest 39% below MA |
$113,964±$10kHighest 10% above MA |
| Stoneham and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $372,900±$24k 34% below MA |
$309,000±$47kLowest 45% below MA |
$671,900±$26kHighest 20% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,917±$451 9% above MA |
$1,292±$558Lowest 27% below MA |
$2,035±$142Highest 15% above MA |
| Stoneham 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 |
$4,458Lowest 26% below MA |
$6,523Highest 9% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.9%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
40%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
41.9%±8.2 MA: 51.8% |
| Leyden and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.8% MA: 10% |
16.9%Highest MA: 10% |
5.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.4% MA: 62.5% |
98%Highest MA: 62.5% |
71%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 12 yrs newer than MA |
1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
1964Lowest same as MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 12% above MA |
38 minHighest 30% above MA |
28 minLowest 4% below MA |
| Work from home | 11%±5Lowest MA: 18.6% |
26.2%±8.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
24.6%±3.6 MA: 18.6% |
| Plainfield and Stoneham 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 | — | — | #117 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | — | Stoneham |
| High school in town | — | — | Stoneham 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.