Compare towns
Needham vs Douglas 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
Douglas has the most affordable homes ($471k 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 | Douglas | Needham | Newton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 32,459 |
9,207Lowest |
32,459 |
89,044Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+6% MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+4.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
44±2.6Highest 10% above MA |
43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
42.1±0.9Lowest 5% above MA |
| Douglas 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% |
21.2%±3.8 MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
20.5%±1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
15.4%±3.1Lowest 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% |
41.7%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
81.1% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±2.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
11.1%±0.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $214,308±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
$152,267±$10kLowest 46% 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 |
$470,600±$29kLowest 16% below MA |
$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 |
$1,503±$697Lowest 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 |
$6,338Lowest 6% 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 | 55.9%±8.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
33.9%±17.4Lowest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
43.3%±4.5 MA: 51.8% |
| Below poverty line | 3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
4.8%Highest MA: 10% |
3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
4.5% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% MA: 62.5% |
83.8%Highest MA: 62.5% |
83.1% MA: 62.5% |
70%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965 1 yr newer than MA |
1986Highest 22 yrs newer than MA |
1965 1 yr newer than MA |
1942Lowest 22 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 5% below MA |
34 minHighest 16% above MA |
28 min 5% below MA |
27 minLowest 9% below MA |
| Work from home | 32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
20.9%±4.9Lowest 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 | #177 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #25 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Douglas | Needham | Newton |
| High school in town | — | Douglas High School | Needham High | Newton North High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 7.2Lowest |
11.9Highest |
10.8 |
| 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.