Compare towns

Lynnfield vs Norfolk vs Wakefield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lynnfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.1%).
Norfolk has the most people working from home (32.6%).
Wakefield has the most renters (29.3% rent).

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.

MeasureLynnfieldNorfolkWakefield
People
Population
13,064
11,673Lowest
27,793Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+12.1%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+3.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+8.7%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
41.4±2.1Lowest
4% above MA
41.6±1.3
4% above MA
42.4±1.7Highest
6% above MA
Wakefield and Norfolk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
28%±4.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
24.4%±3.8
MA: 19.4%
20%±2.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Lynnfield and Norfolk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.9%±2.4
MA: 17.9%
13.8%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
19%±1.9Highest
MA: 17.9%
Wakefield and Lynnfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
62.7%Highest
MA: 47.3%
61.6%
MA: 47.3%
59.7%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.2%±1.1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3.2%±1.2Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.4%±0.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
Wakefield and Lynnfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$175,265±$23k
69% above MA
$200,720±$22kHighest
93% above MA
$134,306±$14kLowest
29% above MA
Norfolk and Lynnfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$917,600±$31kHighest
63% above MA
$725,200±$34k
29% above MA
$723,500±$24kLowest
29% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,676±$219Highest
52% above MA
$2,019±$598
15% above MA
$1,958±$102Lowest
11% above MA
Lynnfield and Norfolk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$9,651
61% above MA
$7,779Lowest
30% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
69.2%±21.9Highest
MA: 51.8%
57.1%±16
MA: 51.8%
43.7%±7.9Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Lynnfield and Norfolk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6%Highest
MA: 10%
2.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
4.9%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.3%
MA: 62.5%
94.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
70.7%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1964
same as MA
1984Highest
20 yrs newer than MA
1956Lowest
8 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minLowest
10% above MA
36 minHighest
24% above MA
33 min
14% above MA
Work from home
27.4%±4.7
MA: 18.6%
32.6%±5.1Highest
MA: 18.6%
24.6%±3.1Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Norfolk and Lynnfield 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 #27 of 282 in MA #123 of 282 in MA #179 of 282 in MA
School district — King Philip · Millis Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical · Wakefield
High school in town — None in town Northeast Metro Regional Vocational
Students per teacherat that high school — —
10.7
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 14 photos → 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.