Compare towns

Mansfield vs Saco vs Dedham

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Mansfield has the most kids (22.4% under 18).
Saco has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.3%).
Dedham has the most expensive homes ($662k 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.

MeasureMansfieldSacoDedham
People
Population
23,931
20,819Lowest
25,237Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
+10.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
41.4±1.3Lowest
6% above U.S.
44.9±1.5Highest
15% above U.S.
44.6±1.6
15% above U.S.
Saco and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.4%±2.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
16.7%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
18.6%±1.9
U.S.: 22%
Mansfield and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
15.4%±2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.5%±2.1
U.S.: 17.2%
21.9%±2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Dedham and Saco are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
51.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
43.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
55%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.5%±1.3
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±1.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.6%±1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
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
55% above U.S.
$92,241±$11kLowest
14% above U.S.
$128,955±$10kHighest
60% above U.S.
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
81% above U.S.
$413,100±$17kLowest
24% above U.S.
$661,800±$16kHighest
99% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,803±$147
28% above U.S.
$1,249±$385Lowest
12% below U.S.
$2,042±$182Highest
45% above U.S.
Dedham and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,226
132% above U.S.
$4,807Lowest
54% above U.S.
$7,918Highest
154% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
38.2%±8.5Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
50.3%±14
U.S.: 51.1%
56.4%±10Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Dedham and Saco are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.7%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.4%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
72.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
73.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
same as U.S.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1956Lowest
24 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minHighest
25% above U.S.
24 minLowest
10% below U.S.
29 min
11% above U.S.
Work from home
20%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
19%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
20%±2.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #60 of 282 in MA #38 of 133 in ME #119 of 282 in MA
School district Mansfield Saco Public Schools Dedham
High school in town Mansfield High None in town Dedham High
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1Highest
—
10.4Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.