Compare towns
Lynnfield vs Springfield vs Norfolk
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%).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Norfolk has the most people working from home (32.6%).
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 | Lynnfield | Springfield | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 13,064 |
154,749Highest |
11,673Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +12.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+1.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+3.9% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.4±2.1 4% above MA |
33.7±0.5Lowest 16% below MA |
41.6±1.3Highest 4% above MA |
| Norfolk and Lynnfield 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% |
24.2%±0.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
24.4%±3.8 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%±2.4Highest MA: 17.9% |
13.2%±0.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
13.8%±2 MA: 17.9% |
| Lynnfield and Norfolk 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% |
20.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
61.6% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.2%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
7.5%±0.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.2%±1.2Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $175,265±$23k 69% above MA |
$52,656±$2kLowest 49% below MA |
$200,720±$22kHighest 93% 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 |
$245,000±$4kLowest 56% below MA |
$725,200±$34k 29% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,676±$219Highest 52% above MA |
$1,144±$55Lowest 35% below MA |
$2,019±$598 15% 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 |
$3,695Lowest 38% below MA |
$9,651 61% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.2%±21.9Highest MA: 51.8% |
57.7%±3.1 MA: 51.8% |
57.1%±16Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Lynnfield and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6% MA: 10% |
25.8%Highest MA: 10% |
2.2%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.3% MA: 62.5% |
49.6%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
94.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 same as MA |
1952Lowest 12 yrs older than MA |
1984Highest 20 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 10% above MA |
20 minLowest 31% below MA |
36 minHighest 24% above MA |
| Work from home | 27.4%±4.7 MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±0.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32.6%±5.1Highest 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 | #276 of 282 in MA | #123 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Lynnfield | Springfield | King Philip · Millis |
| High school in town | Lynnfield High | Springfield Central High | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.0Lowest |
12.2Highest |
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| 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.