Compare towns
Natick vs Hingham vs Sherborn vs Cochituate
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%).
Hingham has the most expensive homes ($1134k median).
Sherborn has the most people working from home (49.1%).
Cochituate has the shortest commute (28 min average).
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 | Hingham | Sherborn | Cochituate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 36,873Highest |
24,283 |
4,427Lowest |
6,471 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +12.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+9.6% MA: +7.4% |
+6.8% MA: +7.4% |
+5.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.3±1.4 8% above MA |
48.4±2.4Highest 21% above MA |
42.8±2.3Lowest 7% above MA |
45.8±2.3 15% above MA |
| Hingham and Cochituate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.2%±1.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
23.4%±2.1 MA: 19.4% |
29.2%±4.8Highest MA: 19.4% |
23.2%±2.7 MA: 19.4% |
| Sherborn and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.4%±1.9 MA: 17.9% |
26%±2.6Highest MA: 17.9% |
16.3%±3.3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
19.6%±2.7 MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 70.8%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
76.2% MA: 47.3% |
82.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
77% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±1Highest MA: 7.9% |
2.9%±0.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
3.1%±1.6 MA: 7.9% |
3.1%±1.4 MA: 7.9% |
| Natick and Sherborn 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 |
$178,390±$15k 72% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$192,361±$18k 85% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $821,000±$25kLowest 46% above MA |
$1,134,200±$47kHighest 102% above MA |
$1,026,800±$72k 83% above MA |
$906,300±$42k 61% above MA |
| Hingham and Sherborn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,134±$124 21% above MA |
$2,465±$603Highest 40% above MA |
$2,338±$316 33% above MA |
$1,582±$649Lowest 10% below MA |
| Hingham and Sherborn 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 |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±6.6 MA: 51.8% |
60.3%±12Highest MA: 51.8% |
48%±26.3 MA: 51.8% |
34.2%±14.9Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Hingham and Sherborn 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% |
4.3% MA: 10% |
3.1%Lowest MA: 10% |
4.6% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 68.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
80.7% MA: 62.5% |
89.2%Highest MA: 62.5% |
85.6% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968 4 yrs newer than MA |
1976Highest 12 yrs newer than MA |
1968 4 yrs newer than MA |
1957Lowest 7 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 5% above MA |
36 minHighest 24% above MA |
35 min 21% above MA |
28 minLowest 4% below MA |
| Work from home | 25.1%±1.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
33.1%±3.3 MA: 18.6% |
49.1%±7.7Highest MA: 18.6% |
36.9%±5.2 MA: 18.6% |
| Sherborn and Cochituate 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 | #14 of 282 in MA | #53 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Natick | Hingham | Sherborn | — |
| High school in town | Natick High | Hingham High | None in town | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.6Lowest |
12.9Highest |
— | — |
| 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.