Compare towns
Millis vs Needham vs Dover vs Norfolk
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Millis has the most affordable homes ($604k median).
Needham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Dover has the highest household income ($250k).
Norfolk has the youngest population (median age 41.6).
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 | Millis | Needham | Dover | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 8,888 |
32,459Highest |
2,308Lowest |
11,673 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.2% MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+8.3% MA: +7.4% |
+3.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 46.4±3 16% above MA |
43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
47.5±4Highest 19% above MA |
41.6±1.3Lowest 4% above MA |
| Dover and Millis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.4%±2.8Lowest MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
20.9%±4.8 MA: 19.4% |
24.4%±3.8 MA: 19.4% |
| Needham and Norfolk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 23.5%±3.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±3.5 MA: 17.9% |
13.8%±2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
81.9% MA: 47.3% |
83.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
61.6% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±1.6 MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
9.4%±4.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.2%±1.2Lowest 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 | $155,996±$9kLowest 50% above MA |
$214,308±$13k 106% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$200,720±$22k 93% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $603,500±$31kLowest 7% above MA |
$1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$1,308,300±$149kHighest 133% above MA |
$725,200±$34k 29% 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 | $1,696±$279Lowest 4% below MA |
$2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
— | $2,019±$598 15% above MA |
| Needham and Norfolk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $9,344Lowest 56% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$9,651 61% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.5%±16.6 MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5Lowest MA: 51.8% |
100%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
57.1%±16 MA: 51.8% |
| Dover and Norfolk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.8%Highest MA: 10% |
3.7% MA: 10% |
3.3% MA: 10% |
2.2%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.2% MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
94.9% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1984Highest 20 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 5% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
37 minHighest 26% above MA |
36 min 24% above MA |
| Work from home | 17.5%±4.2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4 MA: 18.6% |
37.4%±8.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
32.6%±5.1 MA: 18.6% |
| Dover and Norfolk 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 | #63 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #1 of 282 in MA | #123 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Millis | Needham | — | King Philip · Millis |
| High school in town | Millis High School | Needham High | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Lowest |
11.9Highest |
— | — |
| 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.