Compare towns
Mansfield vs Dedham vs Stoneham vs Hudson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Mansfield has the most kids (22.4% under 18).
Dedham has the oldest population (median age 44.6).
Stoneham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.4%).
Hudson has the most affordable homes ($497k 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.
| Measure | Mansfield | Dedham | Stoneham | Hudson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 23,931 |
25,237Highest |
23,355 |
20,077Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.9% MA: +7.4% |
+2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+8.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+5.4% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.4±1.3Lowest 4% above MA |
44.6±1.6Highest 12% above MA |
42.2±2.2 6% above MA |
42.9±1.7 7% above MA |
| Dedham and Hudson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22.4%±2.4Highest MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±1.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.8%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
19.3%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
| Mansfield and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.4%±2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2Highest MA: 17.9% |
20.4%±2.2 MA: 17.9% |
20.1%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
| Dedham and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 51.1% MA: 47.3% |
55% MA: 47.3% |
55.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
46.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.5%±1.3 MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.7%±1.4 MA: 7.9% |
4%±1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Dedham and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $125,273±$15k 21% above MA |
$128,955±$10kHighest 24% above MA |
$113,964±$10k 10% above MA |
$103,400±$13kLowest about the MA average |
| Dedham and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $603,500±$28k 7% above MA |
$661,800±$16k 18% above MA |
$671,900±$26kHighest 20% above MA |
$496,800±$22kLowest 12% below MA |
| Stoneham and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,803±$147 about the MA average |
$2,042±$182Highest 16% above MA |
$2,035±$142 15% above MA |
$1,406±$82Lowest 20% below MA |
| Dedham and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,226 21% above MA |
$7,918Highest 32% above MA |
$6,523Lowest 9% above MA |
$6,892 15% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 38.2%±8.5Lowest MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±10Highest MA: 51.8% |
41.9%±8.2 MA: 51.8% |
40.8%±8.7 MA: 51.8% |
| Dedham and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
5.6%Highest MA: 10% |
5.4% MA: 10% |
5.3% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.1% MA: 62.5% |
73.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
71%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
73.2% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest 16 yrs newer than MA |
1956Lowest 8 yrs older than MA |
1964 same as MA |
1970 6 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 13% above MA |
29 min about the MA average |
28 minLowest 4% below MA |
31 min 6% above MA |
| Work from home | 20%±3.4 MA: 18.6% |
20%±2.7 MA: 18.6% |
24.6%±3.6Highest MA: 18.6% |
19.6%±3.6Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Stoneham and Mansfield 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 | #60 of 282 in MA | #119 of 282 in MA | #117 of 282 in MA | #224 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Mansfield | Dedham | Stoneham | Hudson |
| High school in town | Mansfield High | Dedham High | Stoneham High | Hudson High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1Highest |
10.4 |
10.7 |
10.2Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.