Compare towns
Natick vs Dover vs Wayland
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Natick has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.1%).
Dover has the most expensive homes ($1308k median).
Wayland has the most kids (24.3% under 18).
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 | Natick | Dover | Wayland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 36,873Highest |
2,308Lowest |
13,914 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +12.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+8.3% MA: +7.4% |
+7.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.3±1.4Lowest 8% above MA |
47.5±4Highest 19% above MA |
45±1.5 13% above MA |
| Dover and Wayland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 21.2%±1.9 MA: 19.4% |
20.9%±4.8Lowest MA: 19.4% |
24.3%±2.5Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Wayland and Natick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 20.4%±1.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±3.5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
18.7%±2.1 MA: 17.9% |
| Natick and Wayland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 70.8%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
83.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
78.8% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±1 MA: 7.9% |
9.4%±4.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.9%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Dover and Natick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $138,538±$11kLowest 33% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$224,000±$28k 115% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $821,000±$25kLowest 46% above MA |
$1,308,300±$149kHighest 133% above MA |
$978,400±$36k 74% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,134±$124Highest 21% above MA |
— | $1,475±$603Lowest 16% below MA |
| Natick and Wayland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,914Lowest 49% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±6.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
100%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
42.8%±16 MA: 51.8% |
| Dover and Wayland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.8%Highest MA: 10% |
3.3%Lowest MA: 10% |
4.9% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 68.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
87.6% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Highest 4 yrs newer than MA |
1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1962Lowest 2 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 5% above MA |
37 minHighest 26% above MA |
31 minLowest 5% above MA |
| Work from home | 25.1%±1.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
37.4%±8.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
35.1%±4.1 MA: 18.6% |
| Dover and Wayland 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 | #48 of 282 in MA | #1 of 282 in MA | #18 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Natick | — | Wayland |
| High school in town | Natick High | — | Wayland High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.6Highest |
— | 10.9Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.