Compare towns
Stoneham vs Melrose vs Stoneham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Melrose has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.5%).
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 | Stoneham | Melrose | Stoneham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 23,355Lowest |
29,650Highest |
23,355Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+10.5%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+8.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.2±2.2Lowest 6% above MA |
43.6±1.1Highest 9% above MA |
42.2±2.2Lowest 6% above MA |
| Melrose and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.8%±2.5Highest MA: 19.4% |
20.2%±2.1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.8%±2.5Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 20.4%±2.2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
20.6%±2.2Highest MA: 17.9% |
20.4%±2.2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Melrose and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 55.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
62%Highest MA: 47.3% |
55.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.7%±1.4Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.6%±1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.7%±1.4Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $113,964±$10kLowest 10% above MA |
$133,953±$14kHighest 29% above MA |
$113,964±$10kLowest 10% above MA |
| Melrose and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $671,900±$26kLowest 20% above MA |
$822,900±$20kHighest 46% above MA |
$671,900±$26kLowest 20% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,035±$142Highest 15% above MA |
$1,970±$149Lowest 12% above MA |
$2,035±$142Highest 15% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,523Lowest 9% above MA |
$7,578Highest 26% above MA |
$6,523Lowest 9% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.9%±8.2Lowest MA: 51.8% |
50.3%±8.1Highest MA: 51.8% |
41.9%±8.2Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Melrose and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.4%Highest MA: 10% |
3.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
5.4%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71%Highest MA: 62.5% |
67.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
71%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964Highest same as MA |
1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1964Highest same as MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 4% below MA |
35 minHighest 19% above MA |
28 minLowest 4% below MA |
| Work from home | 24.6%±3.6Lowest MA: 18.6% |
29.6%±2.7Highest MA: 18.6% |
24.6%±3.6Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Melrose and Stoneham 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 | #62 of 282 in MA | #117 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Stoneham | Melrose | — |
| High school in town | Stoneham High | Melrose High | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Lowest |
12.8Highest |
— |
| 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.