Compare towns
Maynard vs Needham vs Newton vs Ipswich
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Maynard has the most affordable homes ($527k median).
Needham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Newton has the most expensive homes ($1265k median).
Ipswich has the oldest population (median age 47.2).
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 | Maynard | Needham | Newton | Ipswich |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,712Lowest |
32,459 |
89,044Highest |
13,930 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.3% MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+4.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+4.6% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±4.3 13% above MA |
43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
42.1±0.9Lowest 5% above MA |
47.2±3.5Highest 18% above MA |
| Ipswich and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±4.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
20.5%±1 MA: 19.4% |
18.9%±2.7 MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 18.2%±3.3 MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
19.1%±0.9 MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2.4Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Ipswich and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 64.2% MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
81.1% MA: 47.3% |
60.2%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.5%±1.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
11.1%±0.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.1%±1.3 MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $124,067±$16kLowest 19% above MA |
$214,308±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
$190,304±$9k 83% above MA |
$138,750±$16k 33% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $527,400±$31kLowest 6% below MA |
$1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$1,264,900±$43kHighest 125% above MA |
$745,400±$40k 33% above MA |
| Newton and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,800±$148 about the MA average |
$2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
$2,370±$81 35% above MA |
$1,598±$90Lowest 9% below MA |
| Needham and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,266 38% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$7,960Lowest 33% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.9%±9.6 MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
43.3%±4.5Lowest MA: 51.8% |
51.5%±12.2 MA: 51.8% |
| Needham and Ipswich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.3%Highest MA: 10% |
3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
4.5% MA: 10% |
5.7% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75% MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
70%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
74.4% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963 1 yr older than MA |
1965Highest 1 yr newer than MA |
1942Lowest 22 yrs older than MA |
1964 same as MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 9% above MA |
28 min 5% below MA |
27 minLowest 9% below MA |
29 min about the MA average |
| Work from home | 22.9%±7.7 MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
32.2%±2 MA: 18.6% |
18.9%±3.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Needham and Newton 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 | #166 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #25 of 282 in MA | #101 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Maynard | — | Newton | Ipswich |
| High school in town | Maynard High | — | Newton North High | Ipswich High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7 |
— | 10.8Highest |
9.0Lowest |
| 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.