Compare towns
Needham vs Milton vs Acton 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%).
Milton has the youngest population (median age 41.1).
Acton has the most affordable homes ($807k median).
Dover has the highest household income ($250k).
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 | Milton | Acton | Dover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 32,459Highest |
28,587 |
24,155 |
5,930Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+9.6% MA: +7.4% |
+6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
41.1±1.8Lowest about the MA average |
44.5±0.8 11% above MA |
44.9±2.3Highest 12% 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% |
25.3%±2.2 MA: 19.4% |
23.2%±2.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
26%±5.2 MA: 19.4% |
| Needham and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 17.7%±1.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
16.1%±1.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
17.6%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
16.7%±2.9 MA: 17.9% |
| Needham and Acton 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% |
71.9%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% |
9.7%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.9%±1.2Lowest MA: 7.9% |
7.2%±2.7 MA: 7.9% |
| Milton 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 106% above MA |
$188,529±$15k 81% above MA |
$158,230±$14kLowest 52% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,188,500±$43k 111% above MA |
$933,200±$31k 66% above MA |
$807,300±$20kLowest 44% above MA |
$1,340,300±$117kHighest 138% 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 |
$1,474±$281Lowest 16% below MA |
$1,986±$155 13% 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 |
$9,677Lowest 61% 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% |
45.7%±20.9 MA: 51.8% |
47.7%±11.3 MA: 51.8% |
20%±100Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Needham and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.7% MA: 10% |
4.7%Highest MA: 10% |
3.4% MA: 10% |
2.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% MA: 62.5% |
85.2% MA: 62.5% |
74.9%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
97.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965 1 yr newer than MA |
1945Lowest 19 yrs older than MA |
1974Highest 10 yrs newer than MA |
1970 6 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 5% below MA |
31 min 8% above MA |
35 minHighest 19% above MA |
35 minHighest 19% above MA |
| Work from home | 32.4%±2.4 MA: 18.6% |
29.7%±2.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
35.9%±4.6Highest MA: 18.6% |
34.2%±6.4 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 | #55 of 282 in MA | #13 of 282 in MA | #1 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Needham | Milton | Acton-Boxborough | Dover · Dover-Sherborn |
| High school in town | Needham High | Milton High | Acton-Boxborough Regional High | Dover-Sherborn Regional High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.9 |
12.4 |
13.5Highest |
9.8Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.