Compare towns
Newton vs Hooksett vs Needham vs Natick
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Newton has the most expensive homes ($1265k median).
Hooksett has the most affordable homes ($407k median).
Needham has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Natick has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.1%).
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 | Newton | Hooksett | Needham | Natick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 89,044Highest |
15,057Lowest |
32,459 |
36,873 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+11.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
+12.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.1±0.9 8% above U.S. |
41.3±1.5Lowest 6% above U.S. |
43.1±1.6 11% above U.S. |
43.3±1.4Highest 11% above U.S. |
| Natick and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.5%±1 U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
27.5%±2.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
21.2%±1.9 U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 19.1%±0.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.7%±1.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.4%±1.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Natick and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
39.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
81.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
70.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 11.1%±0.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
8.9%±1.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±1.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Newton and Hooksett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $190,304±$9k 136% above U.S. |
$117,962±$11kLowest 46% above U.S. |
$214,308±$13kHighest 165% above U.S. |
$138,538±$11k 72% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,264,900±$43kHighest 280% above U.S. |
$407,000±$26kLowest 22% above U.S. |
$1,188,500±$43k 257% above U.S. |
$821,000±$25k 147% 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 | $2,370±$81 68% above U.S. |
$1,661±$206Lowest 18% above U.S. |
$2,409±$183Highest 70% above U.S. |
$2,134±$124 51% 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. |
$6,554Lowest 110% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$8,914 186% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 43.3%±4.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
41.7%±16.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
55.9%±8.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.7%±6.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Needham and Newton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70% U.S.: 65.2% |
80.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
83.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
68.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1942Lowest 38 yrs older than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1965 15 yrs older than U.S. |
1968 12 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest about the U.S. average |
27 min about the U.S. average |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
31 minHighest 16% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 32.2%±2 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.4%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
32.4%±2.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
25.1%±1.9 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 | #25 of 282 in MA | #30 of 120 in NH | #19 of 282 in MA | #48 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Newton | Hooksett School District | — | Natick |
| High school in town | Newton North High | None in town | — | Natick High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.8Lowest |
— | — | 12.6Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.