Compare towns
Needham vs Beverly vs Winchester vs Dover
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%).
Beverly has the most affordable homes ($650k median).
Winchester has the most kids (27.6% under 18).
Dover has the most homeowners (97.9%).
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 | Beverly | Winchester | Dover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 32,459 |
42,665Highest |
23,406 |
5,930Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+8% MA: +7.4% |
+7.5% MA: +7.4% |
+6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
39±1.8Lowest about the MA average |
42.5±1.9 6% above MA |
44.9±2.3Highest 12% above MA |
| Dover and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 27.5%±2.2 MA: 19.4% |
18.5%±1.8Lowest MA: 19.4% |
27.6%±2.3Highest MA: 19.4% |
26%±5.2 MA: 19.4% |
| Winchester 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% |
19.4%±1.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
18%±2 MA: 17.9% |
16.7%±2.9Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Beverly and Winchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.9% MA: 47.3% |
53.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
79.5% MA: 47.3% |
84.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
11.3%±0.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.9%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
7.2%±2.7 MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $214,308±$13k 106% above MA |
$106,044±$7kLowest about the MA average |
$230,198±$21k 121% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$650,300±$13kLowest 16% above MA |
$1,215,200±$39k 116% above MA |
$1,340,300±$117kHighest 138% above MA |
| Dover and Winchester 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 |
$1,771±$106Lowest about the MA average |
$2,279±$481 29% above MA |
$2,917±$2kHighest 66% above MA |
| Dover and Needham 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 |
$6,836Lowest 14% 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% |
55.5%±7.2 MA: 51.8% |
39.3%±13.3 MA: 51.8% |
20%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Needham and Beverly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.7% MA: 10% |
9.4%Highest MA: 10% |
4.7% MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% MA: 62.5% |
60.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
81.7% MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965 1 yr newer than MA |
1956 8 yrs older than MA |
1954Lowest 10 yrs older than MA |
1970Highest 6 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 5% below MA |
30 min 3% above MA |
31 min 8% above MA |
35 minHighest 19% above MA |
| Work from home | 32.4%±2.4 MA: 18.6% |
22.3%±2.4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
33.8%±3 MA: 18.6% |
34.2%±6.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Dover and Winchester 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 | #144 of 282 in MA | #11 of 282 in MA | #1 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Needham | Beverly | Winchester | Dover · Dover-Sherborn |
| High school in town | Needham High | Beverly High | Winchester High School | Dover-Sherborn Regional High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.9 |
12.2 |
14.8Highest |
9.8Lowest |
| 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.