Compare towns

Otis vs Needham vs Granville

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Otis has the oldest population (median age 51).
Needham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Granville has the most affordable homes ($356k median).

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.

MeasureOtisNeedhamGranville
People
Population
1,624Lowest
32,459Highest
1,846
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.4%
MA: +7.4%
+11.1%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-1.8%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
51±3.2Highest
28% above MA
43.1±1.6Lowest
8% above MA
50.1±3.5
25% above MA
Otis and Granville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.1%±4.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
27.5%±2.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
17%±3.7
MA: 19.4%
Age 65+
28%±3.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
17.7%±1.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
24.9%±2.8
MA: 17.9%
Otis and Granville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
39.2%
MA: 47.3%
81.9%Highest
MA: 47.3%
34.7%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±2.1
MA: 7.9%
5.4%±1.1Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.8%±1.2Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Needham and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$108,898±$6k
5% above MA
$214,308±$13kHighest
106% above MA
$84,375±$14kLowest
19% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$396,700±$40k
29% below MA
$1,188,500±$43kHighest
111% above MA
$356,300±$25kLowest
37% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,318±$924
25% below MA
$2,409±$183Highest
37% above MA
$1,292±$781Lowest
27% below MA
Needham and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,408Lowest
60% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$4,284
29% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
63.3%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
55.9%±8.5
MA: 51.8%
23.1%±51.7Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Otis and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
1.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
3.7%
MA: 10%
10.4%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.7%
MA: 62.5%
83.1%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
93.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
1965Lowest
1 yr newer than MA
1966
2 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
15% above MA
28 minLowest
5% below MA
39 minHighest
34% above MA
Work from home
22.3%±7.7
MA: 18.6%
32.4%±2.4Highest
MA: 18.6%
15.3%±6.1Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Needham and Otis 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 —
School district Farmington River Reg Needham —
High school in town None in town Needham High —
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.9
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.