Compare towns
Mansfield vs Springfield vs Dedham vs Stoneham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Dedham has the oldest population (median age 44.6).
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 | Mansfield | Springfield | Dedham | Stoneham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 23,931 |
154,749Highest |
25,237 |
23,355Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.9% MA: +7.4% |
+1.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+2.6% MA: +7.4% |
+8.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.4±1.3 4% above MA |
33.7±0.5Lowest 16% below MA |
44.6±1.6Highest 12% above MA |
42.2±2.2 6% above MA |
| Dedham and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22.4%±2.4 MA: 19.4% |
24.2%±0.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±1.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.8%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
| Springfield and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.4%±2 MA: 17.9% |
13.2%±0.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2Highest MA: 17.9% |
20.4%±2.2 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% |
20.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
55% MA: 47.3% |
55.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.5%±1.3 MA: 7.9% |
7.5%±0.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1 MA: 7.9% |
4.7%±1.4Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $125,273±$15k 21% above MA |
$52,656±$2kLowest 49% below MA |
$128,955±$10kHighest 24% above MA |
$113,964±$10k 10% above MA |
| 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 |
$245,000±$4kLowest 56% below MA |
$661,800±$16k 18% above MA |
$671,900±$26kHighest 20% above 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 |
$1,144±$55Lowest 35% below MA |
$2,042±$182Highest 16% above MA |
$2,035±$142 15% above 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 |
$3,695Lowest 38% below MA |
$7,918Highest 32% above MA |
$6,523 9% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 38.2%±8.5Lowest MA: 51.8% |
57.7%±3.1Highest MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±10 MA: 51.8% |
41.9%±8.2 MA: 51.8% |
| Springfield and Dedham 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% |
25.8%Highest MA: 10% |
5.6% MA: 10% |
5.4% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.1% MA: 62.5% |
49.6%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
73.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
71% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest 16 yrs newer than MA |
1952Lowest 12 yrs older than MA |
1956 8 yrs older than MA |
1964 same as MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 13% above MA |
20 minLowest 31% below MA |
29 min about the MA average |
28 min 4% below MA |
| Work from home | 20%±3.4 MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±0.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
20%±2.7 MA: 18.6% |
24.6%±3.6Highest 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 | #276 of 282 in MA | #119 of 282 in MA | #117 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Mansfield | Springfield | Dedham | Stoneham |
| High school in town | Mansfield High | Springfield Central High | Dedham High | Stoneham High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1 |
12.2Highest |
10.4Lowest |
10.7 |
| 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.