Compare towns
Needham vs Berlin vs Dover vs Andover
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Needham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Berlin has the most affordable homes ($617k median).
Dover has the most homeowners (97.9%).
Andover has the youngest population (median age 42.9).
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 | Berlin | Dover | Andover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 32,459 |
3,378Lowest |
5,930 |
36,652Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+10.2% MA: +7.4% |
+6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+10.1% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
49.7±2.8Highest 24% above MA |
44.9±2.3 12% above MA |
42.9±1Lowest 7% above MA |
| Berlin and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
13.4%±4.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
26%±5.2 MA: 19.4% |
23.6%±1.8 MA: 19.4% |
| Needham and Dover 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% |
30.1%±5.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
16.7%±2.9 MA: 17.9% |
16%±1.3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.9% MA: 47.3% |
48.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
84.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
75.6% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
4.3%±2.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
7.2%±2.7 MA: 7.9% |
8.1%±0.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Andover and Dover 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 |
$121,336±$12kLowest 17% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$172,606±$16k 66% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$616,600±$55kLowest 10% above MA |
$1,340,300±$117kHighest 138% above MA |
$855,600±$22k 52% 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 |
$2,420±$933 37% above MA |
$2,917±$2kHighest 66% above MA |
$2,201±$129Lowest 25% above MA |
| Dover and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$7,116Lowest 19% 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% |
52.6%±19.7 MA: 51.8% |
20%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
39.7%±7.7 MA: 51.8% |
| Needham and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.7% MA: 10% |
5%Highest MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
2.9% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% MA: 62.5% |
77.3%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
79.9% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
1992Highest 28 yrs newer than MA |
1970 6 yrs newer than MA |
1973 9 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 5% below MA |
34 min 17% above MA |
35 minHighest 19% above MA |
29 min about the MA average |
| Work from home | 32.4%±2.4 MA: 18.6% |
29.1%±6.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
34.2%±6.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
30.4%±2.1 MA: 18.6% |
| Dover and Needham 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 | #61 of 282 in MA | #1 of 282 in MA | #68 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Needham | Berlin-Boylston | Dover · Dover-Sherborn | Andover · Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical |
| High school in town | Needham High | None in town | Dover-Sherborn Regional High | Gr Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.9 |
— | 9.8Lowest |
12.8Highest |
| 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.