Compare towns
Needham vs Madison 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%).
Madison has the most affordable homes ($389k median).
Newton has the most renters (30% rent).
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 | Madison | Newton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 32,459 |
2,680Lowest |
89,044Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.1±1.6 11% above U.S. |
50.3±9.7Highest 29% above U.S. |
42.1±0.9Lowest 8% above U.S. |
| Madison 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% |
23.1%±6.7 U.S.: 22% |
20.5%±1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Needham and Madison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.7%±1.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
23.1%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.1%±0.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Madison 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%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
81.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.9%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
11.1%±0.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $214,308±$13kHighest 165% above U.S. |
$102,697±$11kLowest 27% above U.S. |
$190,304±$9k 136% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,188,500±$43k 257% above U.S. |
$388,700±$36kLowest 17% above U.S. |
$1,264,900±$43kHighest 280% above U.S. |
| Newton and Needham 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. |
$1,556±$256Lowest 10% above 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. |
$4,074Lowest 31% 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% |
69.2%±46Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
43.3%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Madison and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
70%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965 15 yrs older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1942Lowest 38 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minHighest 5% above U.S. |
22 minLowest 16% below U.S. |
27 min about the U.S. average |
| Work from home | 32.4%±2.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
8%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
32.2%±2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Needham and Newton 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 | — | #25 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Needham | Madison School District | Newton |
| High school in town | Needham High | None in town | Newton North High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.9Highest |
— | 10.8Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.