Compare towns

Stoneham vs Hull vs Dedham vs Mansfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Stoneham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.4%).
Hull has the oldest population (median age 56.1).
Dedham has the highest household income ($129k).
Mansfield has the most kids (22.4% under 18).

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.

MeasureStonehamHullDedhamMansfield
People
Population
23,355
10,138Lowest
25,237Highest
23,931
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.4%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-2.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+2.6%
MA: +7.4%
+2.9%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
42.2±2.2
6% above MA
56.1±1.8Highest
40% above MA
44.6±1.6
12% above MA
41.4±1.3Lowest
4% above MA
Kids under 18
20.8%±2.5
MA: 19.4%
11.4%±2.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
18.6%±1.9
MA: 19.4%
22.4%±2.4Highest
MA: 19.4%
Mansfield and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.4%±2.2
MA: 17.9%
26.1%±3.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2
MA: 17.9%
15.4%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Hull and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
55.9%Highest
MA: 47.3%
50.4%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
55%
MA: 47.3%
51.1%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.7%±1.4
MA: 7.9%
4.2%±2.2Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1Highest
MA: 7.9%
5.5%±1.3
MA: 7.9%
Dedham and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$113,964±$10kLowest
10% above MA
$115,485±$14k
11% above MA
$128,955±$10kHighest
24% above MA
$125,273±$15k
21% above MA
Dedham and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$671,900±$26kHighest
20% above MA
$646,000±$38k
15% above MA
$661,800±$16k
18% above MA
$603,500±$28kLowest
7% above MA
Stoneham and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,035±$142
15% above MA
$2,081±$187Highest
18% above MA
$2,042±$182
16% above MA
$1,803±$147Lowest
about the MA average
Hull and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,523
9% above MA
$6,089Lowest
about the MA average
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
$7,226
21% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.9%±8.2
MA: 51.8%
52.8%±14
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±10Highest
MA: 51.8%
38.2%±8.5Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Dedham and Hull are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.4%
MA: 10%
5.8%Highest
MA: 10%
5.6%
MA: 10%
4.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
79.6%Highest
MA: 62.5%
73.4%
MA: 62.5%
73.1%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1964
same as MA
1946Lowest
18 yrs older than MA
1956
8 yrs older than MA
1980Highest
16 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
4% below MA
33 minHighest
14% above MA
29 min
about the MA average
33 min
13% above MA
Work from home
24.6%±3.6Highest
MA: 18.6%
19.7%±4.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
20%±2.7
MA: 18.6%
20%±3.4
MA: 18.6%
Stoneham and Dedham 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 #117 of 282 in MA #66 of 282 in MA #119 of 282 in MA #60 of 282 in MA
School district Stoneham Hull Dedham Mansfield
High school in town Stoneham High Hull High Dedham High Mansfield High
Students per teacherat that high school
10.7
8.8Lowest
10.4
11.1Highest
On TownTapestry
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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.