Compare towns
Needham vs Hingham vs Dover vs Sudbury
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Needham has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Hingham has the oldest population (median age 48.4).
Dover has the most expensive homes ($1340k median).
Sudbury has the most affordable homes ($989k median).
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 | Hingham | Dover | Sudbury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 32,459Highest |
24,283 |
5,930Lowest |
19,306 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+9.6% MA: +7.4% |
+6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+7.2% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
48.4±2.4Highest 21% above MA |
44.9±2.3 12% above MA |
42.3±2.1Lowest 6% above MA |
| Hingham and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 27.5%±2.2 MA: 19.4% |
23.4%±2.1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
26%±5.2 MA: 19.4% |
28.5%±3.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Sudbury and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
26%±2.6Highest MA: 17.9% |
16.7%±2.9 MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±1.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.9% MA: 47.3% |
76.2%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
84.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
83.3% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
2.9%±0.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
7.2%±2.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.7%±1.6 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 | $214,308±$13k 106% above MA |
$178,390±$15kLowest 72% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$236,250±$17k 127% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$1,134,200±$47k 102% above MA |
$1,340,300±$117kHighest 138% above MA |
$988,900±$42kLowest 76% 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 | $2,409±$183 37% above MA |
$2,465±$603 40% above MA |
$2,917±$2kHighest 66% above MA |
$1,445±$895Lowest 18% below MA |
| Dover and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+ at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+ at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+ at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+ at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
60.3%±12Highest MA: 51.8% |
20%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
44.8%±12.1 MA: 51.8% |
| Hingham and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.7% MA: 10% |
4.3%Highest MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
3% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% MA: 62.5% |
80.7%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
89.9% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
1976 12 yrs newer than MA |
1970 6 yrs newer than MA |
1977Highest 13 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 5% below MA |
36 minHighest 24% above MA |
35 min 19% above MA |
35 min 19% above MA |
| Work from home | 32.4%±2.4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
33.1%±3.3 MA: 18.6% |
34.2%±6.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
33%±3.6 MA: 18.6% |
| Dover and Hingham 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 | #19 of 282 in MA | #14 of 282 in MA | #1 of 282 in MA | #15 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Hingham | Dover · Dover-Sherborn | Lincoln-Sudbury · Sudbury |
| High school in town | — | Hingham High | Dover-Sherborn Regional High | Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.9Highest |
9.8Lowest |
11.3 |
| 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.