Compare towns

Stoneham vs Natick 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 the shortest commute (28 min average).
Natick has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.1%).
Mansfield has the most affordable homes ($604k 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.

MeasureStonehamNatickMansfield
People
Population
23,355Lowest
36,873Highest
23,931
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.4%
MA: +7.4%
+12.1%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+2.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
42.2±2.2
6% above MA
43.3±1.4Highest
8% above MA
41.4±1.3Lowest
4% above MA
Natick and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.8%±2.5Lowest
MA: 19.4%
21.2%±1.9
MA: 19.4%
22.4%±2.4Highest
MA: 19.4%
Mansfield and Natick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.4%±2.2Highest
MA: 17.9%
20.4%±1.9Highest
MA: 17.9%
15.4%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
55.9%
MA: 47.3%
70.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
51.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.7%±1.4Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5%±1
MA: 7.9%
5.5%±1.3Highest
MA: 7.9%
Mansfield and Natick 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
$138,538±$11kHighest
33% above MA
$125,273±$15k
21% above MA
Natick 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±$26k
20% above MA
$821,000±$25kHighest
46% above MA
$603,500±$28kLowest
7% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,035±$142
15% above MA
$2,134±$124Highest
21% above MA
$1,803±$147Lowest
about the MA average
Natick and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,523Lowest
9% above MA
$8,914Highest
49% above MA
$7,226
21% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.9%±8.2Highest
MA: 51.8%
41.7%±6.6
MA: 51.8%
38.2%±8.5Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Stoneham and Natick 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%
4.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71%
MA: 62.5%
68.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
73.1%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1964Lowest
same as MA
1968
4 yrs newer than MA
1980Highest
16 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
4% below MA
31 min
5% above MA
33 minHighest
13% above MA
Work from home
24.6%±3.6
MA: 18.6%
25.1%±1.9Highest
MA: 18.6%
20%±3.4Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Natick 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 #48 of 282 in MA #60 of 282 in MA
School district Stoneham Natick Mansfield
High school in town Stoneham High Natick High Mansfield High
Students per teacherat that high school
10.7Lowest
12.6Highest
11.1
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.