Compare towns
Needham vs Wellesley vs Wellesley vs Needham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
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 | Wellesley | Wellesley | Needham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 32,459Highest |
30,347Lowest |
30,347Lowest |
32,459Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+5.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+5.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.1±1.6Highest 8% above MA |
37.1±2.2Lowest 7% below MA |
37.1±2.2Lowest 7% below MA |
43.1±1.6Highest 8% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
24.1%±2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
24.1%±2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 17.7%±1.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±1.3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±1.3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
89%Highest MA: 47.3% |
89%Highest MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
18.3%±0.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
18.3%±0.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $214,308±$13kLowest 106% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$214,308±$13kLowest 106% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,188,500±$43kLowest 111% above MA |
$1,582,700±$49kHighest 182% above MA |
$1,582,700±$49kHighest 182% above MA |
$1,188,500±$43kLowest 111% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,409±$183Lowest 37% above MA |
$2,886±$360Highest 64% above MA |
$2,886±$360Highest 64% above MA |
$2,409±$183Lowest 37% 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 |
$10,000+ at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55.9%±8.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
44.1%±8.2Lowest MA: 51.8% |
44.1%±8.2Lowest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Below poverty line | 3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
4%Highest MA: 10% |
4%Highest MA: 10% |
3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
84.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
84.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1965Highest 1 yr newer than MA |
1955Lowest 9 yrs older than MA |
1955Lowest 9 yrs older than MA |
1965Highest 1 yr newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minHighest 5% below MA |
27 minLowest 7% below MA |
27 minLowest 7% below MA |
28 minHighest 5% below MA |
| Work from home | 32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
32%±2.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32%±2.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #19 of 282 in MA | #6 of 282 in MA | #6 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Needham | — | Wellesley | — |
| High school in town | Needham High | — | Wellesley Sr High | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.9Highest |
— | 10.8Lowest |
— |
| 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.