Compare towns
Needham vs Devens vs Needham vs Newton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Devens has the most affordable homes ($557k median).
Newton has the most renters (30% rent).
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 | Needham | Devens | Needham | Newton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 32,459 |
1,723Lowest |
32,459 |
89,044Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-7.8%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+4.4% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
48.6±4.3Highest 22% above MA |
43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
42.1±0.9Lowest 5% above MA |
| Devens and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
5.5%±3.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
20.5%±1 MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
14%±5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
19.1%±0.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Newton and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
21.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
81.1% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
5.2%±4.2Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
11.1%±0.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $214,308±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
$189,250±$63kLowest 82% above MA |
$214,308±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
$190,304±$9k 83% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$556,800±$96kLowest about the MA average |
$1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$1,264,900±$43kHighest 125% 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 | $2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
$1,500±$539Lowest 15% below MA |
$2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
$2,370±$81 35% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$5,556Lowest 7% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
85.4%±64.7Highest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
43.3%±4.5Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Devens and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
25.3%Highest MA: 10% |
3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
4.5% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
79.3% MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
70%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965Highest 1 yr newer than MA |
1950 14 yrs older than MA |
1965Highest 1 yr newer than MA |
1942Lowest 22 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 5% below MA |
28 minHighest 4% below MA |
28 min 5% below MA |
27 minLowest 9% below MA |
| Work from home | 32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
28.5%±11.5Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
32.2%±2 MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #19 of 282 in MA | — | #19 of 282 in MA | #25 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | — | Needham | Newton |
| High school in town | — | — | Needham High | Newton North High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 11.9Highest |
10.8Lowest |
| 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.