Compare towns
Maynard vs Needham vs Dover vs Swampscott
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 the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Dover has the most homeowners (97.9%).
Swampscott has the oldest housing (typical home built 1955).
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 | Dover | Swampscott |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,712 |
32,459Highest |
2,308Lowest |
15,277 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+8.3% MA: +7.4% |
+9.6% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±4.3 13% above MA |
43.1±1.6Lowest 8% above MA |
47.5±4Highest 19% above MA |
44.5±3.5 11% above MA |
| Dover 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% |
20.9%±4.8 MA: 19.4% |
20.1%±2.9 MA: 19.4% |
| Needham and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.2%±3.3 MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±3.5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
20.4%±2.6Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Swampscott and Maynard 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% MA: 47.3% |
83.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
62.2%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.5%±1.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
9.4%±4.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.7%±1.7 MA: 7.9% |
| Dover and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $124,067±$16kLowest 19% above MA |
$214,308±$13k 106% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$134,386±$23k 29% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $527,400±$31kLowest 6% below MA |
$1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$1,308,300±$149kHighest 133% above MA |
$771,100±$41k 37% above MA |
| Dover and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,800±$148Lowest about the MA average |
$2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
— | $2,303±$143 31% above MA |
| Needham and Swampscott 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 |
$7,936Lowest 32% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.9%±9.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
100%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
57%±14.2 MA: 51.8% |
| Dover and Swampscott 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% MA: 10% |
3.3%Lowest MA: 10% |
7.1% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
83.1% MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
75.9% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963 1 yr older than MA |
1965 1 yr newer than MA |
1967Highest 3 yrs newer than MA |
1955Lowest 9 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 9% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
37 minHighest 26% above MA |
34 min 18% above MA |
| Work from home | 22.9%±7.7Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4 MA: 18.6% |
37.4%±8.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
27.2%±4.6 MA: 18.6% |
| Dover and Needham 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 | #1 of 282 in MA | #76 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Maynard | Needham | — | Swampscott |
| High school in town | Maynard High | Needham High | — | Swampscott High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7Lowest |
11.9Highest |
— | 11.7 |
| 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.