Compare towns
Needham vs Dover vs Acton vs Needham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dover has the most homeowners (97.9%).
Acton has the most affordable homes ($807k 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 | Dover | Acton | Needham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 32,459Highest |
5,930Lowest |
24,155 |
32,459Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+9.6% MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.1±1.6Lowest 8% above MA |
44.9±2.3Highest 12% above MA |
44.5±0.8 11% above MA |
43.1±1.6Lowest 8% above MA |
| Dover and Acton 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% |
26%±5.2 MA: 19.4% |
23.2%±2.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 17.7%±1.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
16.7%±2.9Lowest MA: 17.9% |
17.6%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.9% MA: 47.3% |
84.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
79.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
81.9% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.1 MA: 7.9% |
7.2%±2.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.9%±1.2Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1 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 |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$158,230±$14kLowest 52% above MA |
$214,308±$13k 106% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$1,340,300±$117kHighest 138% above MA |
$807,300±$20kLowest 44% above MA |
$1,188,500±$43k 111% 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 |
$2,917±$2kHighest 66% above MA |
$1,986±$155Lowest 13% above MA |
$2,409±$183 37% 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+ 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%±8.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
20%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
47.7%±11.3 MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Below poverty line | 3.7%Highest MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.4% MA: 10% |
3.7%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
74.9%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
83.1% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
1970 6 yrs newer than MA |
1974Highest 10 yrs newer than MA |
1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 5% below MA |
35 minHighest 19% above MA |
35 minHighest 19% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
| Work from home | 32.4%±2.4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
34.2%±6.4 MA: 18.6% |
35.9%±4.6Highest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Acton and Dover 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 | #1 of 282 in MA | #13 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Needham | Dover · Dover-Sherborn | Acton-Boxborough | — |
| High school in town | Needham High | Dover-Sherborn Regional High | Acton-Boxborough Regional High | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.9 |
9.8Lowest |
13.5Highest |
— |
| 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.