Compare towns
Needham vs Lexington vs Winchester
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%).
Lexington has the oldest population (median age 47.3).
Winchester has the youngest population (median age 42.5).
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 | Lexington | Winchester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 32,459 |
34,295Highest |
23,406Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+9.7% MA: +7.4% |
+7.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
47.3±0.8Highest 18% above MA |
42.5±1.9Lowest 6% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 27.5%±2.2 MA: 19.4% |
25.5%±1.8Lowest MA: 19.4% |
27.6%±2.3Highest 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%±1.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
21.7%±1.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
18%±2 MA: 17.9% |
| Lexington 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% |
84.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
79.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.8%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.9%±1.3 MA: 7.9% |
| Needham and Winchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $214,308±$13kLowest 106% above MA |
$238,444±$18kHighest 129% above MA |
$230,198±$21k 121% above MA |
| Lexington and Winchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,188,500±$43kLowest 111% above MA |
$1,203,100±$35k 114% above MA |
$1,215,200±$39kHighest 116% above MA |
| Winchester and Lexington 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 |
$2,891±$233Highest 64% above MA |
$2,279±$481Lowest 29% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $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% |
50.1%±7.1 MA: 51.8% |
39.3%±13.3Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Needham and Lexington 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% |
4.7%Highest MA: 10% |
4.7%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
80.5%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
81.7% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965Highest 1 yr newer than MA |
1965Highest 1 yr newer than MA |
1954Lowest 10 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 5% below MA |
31 min 5% above MA |
31 minHighest 8% above MA |
| Work from home | 32.4%±2.4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
36.7%±3Highest MA: 18.6% |
33.8%±3 MA: 18.6% |
| Lexington 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 | #2 of 282 in MA | #11 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Needham | Lexington | Winchester |
| High school in town | Needham High | Lexington High | Winchester High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.9 |
11.4Lowest |
14.8Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.