Compare towns
Stoneham vs Northfield vs Dedham
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%).
Northfield has the most affordable homes ($376k median).
Dedham has the highest household income ($129k).
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 | Northfield | Dedham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 23,355 |
2,872Lowest |
25,237Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-5.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+2.6% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.2±2.2Lowest 6% above MA |
48.9±4.2Highest 22% above MA |
44.6±1.6 12% above MA |
| Northfield and Dedham 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% |
14.8%±4.1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±1.9 MA: 19.4% |
| Stoneham and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 20.4%±2.2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
25.5%±5.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±2 MA: 17.9% |
| Northfield 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% |
42.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
55% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.7%±1.4 MA: 7.9% |
4.4%±3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Dedham and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $113,964±$10k 10% above MA |
$103,375±$10kLowest about the MA average |
$128,955±$10kHighest 24% above MA |
| Dedham 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±$26kHighest 20% above MA |
$375,800±$31kLowest 33% below MA |
$661,800±$16k 18% 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 |
$1,142±$200Lowest 35% below MA |
$2,042±$182Highest 16% above MA |
| Dedham and Stoneham 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 |
$4,594Lowest 23% below MA |
$7,918Highest 32% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.9%±8.2Lowest MA: 51.8% |
49.2%±25.9 MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±10Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Dedham and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
6.8%Highest MA: 10% |
5.6% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
85.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
73.4% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964Highest same as MA |
1962 2 yrs older than MA |
1956Lowest 8 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 4% below MA |
31 minHighest 8% above MA |
29 min about the MA average |
| Work from home | 24.6%±3.6Highest MA: 18.6% |
16.5%±10.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
20%±2.7 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 | #231 of 282 in MA | #119 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Stoneham | Pioneer Valley | Dedham |
| High school in town | Stoneham High | Pioneer Valley Regional | Dedham High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Highest |
10.7Highest |
10.4Lowest |
| 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.