Compare towns
Needham vs Brewer vs Dover vs Newton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Needham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Brewer has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Dover has the most homeowners (97.9%).
Newton has the oldest housing (typical home built 1942).
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 | Brewer | Dover | Newton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 32,459 |
9,652 |
2,308Lowest |
89,044Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+8.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.1±1.6 11% above U.S. |
40.1±4.8Lowest 3% above U.S. |
47.5±4Highest 22% above U.S. |
42.1±0.9 8% above U.S. |
| 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%±2.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
20.9%±4.3 U.S.: 22% |
20.9%±4.8 U.S.: 22% |
20.5%±1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 17.7%±1.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
22.4%±3.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
15.5%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.1%±0.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Brewer and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
35%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
83.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
81.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
7.7%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
9.4%±4.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
11.1%±0.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Newton 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 165% above U.S. |
$66,613±$9kLowest 17% below U.S. |
$250,001Highest 210% above U.S. |
$190,304±$9k 136% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,188,500±$43k 257% above U.S. |
$245,300±$21kLowest 26% below U.S. |
$1,308,300±$149kHighest 293% above U.S. |
$1,264,900±$43k 280% above U.S. |
| Dover and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,409±$183Highest 70% above U.S. |
$1,086±$54Lowest 23% below U.S. |
— | $2,370±$81 68% above U.S. |
| Needham and Newton 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 221% above U.S. |
$3,374Lowest 8% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55.9%±8.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
55.7%±13.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
43.3%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dover and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
12.5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
59.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
97.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
70% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965 15 yrs older than U.S. |
1959 21 yrs older than U.S. |
1967Highest 13 yrs older than U.S. |
1942Lowest 38 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 5% above U.S. |
17 minLowest 36% below U.S. |
37 minHighest 39% above U.S. |
27 min about the U.S. average |
| Work from home | 32.4%±2.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
6.9%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
37.4%±8.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
32.2%±2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| 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 | #32 of 133 in ME | #1 of 282 in MA | #25 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Needham | Brewer Public Schools | — | Newton |
| High school in town | Needham High | Brewer High School | — | Newton North High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.9 |
14.0Highest |
— | 10.8Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.