Compare towns
Needham vs Ayer vs Needham vs Dedham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ayer has the most affordable homes ($464k median).
Dedham has the oldest population (median age 44.6).
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 | Ayer | Needham | Dedham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 32,459Highest |
8,645Lowest |
32,459Highest |
25,237 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.1% MA: +7.4% |
+14.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+11.1% MA: +7.4% |
+2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
39.2±2.8Lowest about the MA average |
43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
44.6±1.6Highest 12% above MA |
| Dedham 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% |
20.3%±3.9 MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±1.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
14.5%±2.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
42.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
55% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
4.5%±1.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Dedham 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±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
$101,875±$15kLowest about the MA average |
$214,308±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
$128,955±$10k 24% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,188,500±$43kHighest 111% above MA |
$463,800±$29kLowest 17% below MA |
$1,188,500±$43kHighest 111% above MA |
$661,800±$16k 18% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
$1,415±$180Lowest 20% below MA |
$2,409±$183Highest 37% above MA |
$2,042±$182 16% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$5,057Lowest 16% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$7,918 32% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
45.1%±14.2Lowest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±10Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Dedham 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% |
10.7%Highest MA: 10% |
3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
5.6% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
69.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
73.4% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965 1 yr newer than MA |
1977Highest 13 yrs newer than MA |
1965 1 yr newer than MA |
1956Lowest 8 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 5% below MA |
33 minHighest 13% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
29 min about the MA average |
| Work from home | 32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
21.6%±5.9 MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
20%±2.7Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #19 of 282 in MA | #113 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #119 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Needham | Ayer Shirley School District | — | Dedham |
| High school in town | Needham High | Ayer Shirley Regional High School | — | Dedham High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.9Highest |
11.5 |
— | 10.4Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 12 photos → | 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.