Compare towns

Stoneham vs Sutton vs Dover

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%).
Sutton has the most affordable homes ($523k median).
Dover has the most expensive homes ($1340k 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.

MeasureStonehamSuttonDover
People
Population
23,355Highest
9,452
5,930Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.4%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+4.4%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
42.2±2.2Lowest
6% above MA
44.3±2.5
11% above MA
44.9±2.3Highest
12% above MA
Dover and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.8%±2.5
MA: 19.4%
19.6%±3.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
26%±5.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
Dover and Stoneham 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%
18.8%±3.2
MA: 17.9%
16.7%±2.9Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Stoneham and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
55.9%
MA: 47.3%
52.8%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
84.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.7%±1.4
MA: 7.9%
3.9%±1.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
7.2%±2.7Highest
MA: 7.9%
Dover 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±$10kLowest
10% above MA
$147,125±$25k
42% above MA
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$671,900±$26k
20% above MA
$523,100±$47kLowest
7% below MA
$1,340,300±$117kHighest
138% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,035±$142
15% above MA
$1,190±$401Lowest
32% below MA
$2,917±$2kHighest
66% above MA
Dover 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
$6,763
13% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.9%±8.2
MA: 51.8%
47.5%±24.4Highest
MA: 51.8%
20%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Sutton and Stoneham 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%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
89.7%
MA: 62.5%
97.9%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1964Lowest
same as MA
1981Highest
17 yrs newer than MA
1970
6 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
4% below MA
30 min
about the MA average
35 minHighest
19% above MA
Work from home
24.6%±3.6
MA: 18.6%
22.7%±4.1Lowest
MA: 18.6%
34.2%±6.4Highest
MA: 18.6%
Dover 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 #105 of 282 in MA #1 of 282 in MA
School district Stoneham Sutton Dover · Dover-Sherborn
High school in town Stoneham High Sutton High School Dover-Sherborn Regional High
Students per teacherat that high school
10.7
12.6Highest
9.8Lowest
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.