Compare towns

Stoneham vs Westhampton 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%).
Westhampton has the most affordable homes ($413k 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.

MeasureStonehamWesthamptonDedham
People
Population
23,355
1,552Lowest
25,237Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.4%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+0.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+2.6%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
42.2±2.2Lowest
6% above MA
49.3±4.9Highest
23% above MA
44.6±1.6
12% above MA
Westhampton 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%
18%±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%
25.4%±2.8Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2
MA: 17.9%
Westhampton 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%
47%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
55%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.7%±1.4
MA: 7.9%
3.7%±2.4Lowest
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
$100,000±$7kLowest
4% below MA
$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
$413,200±$24kLowest
26% 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
$1,304±$229Lowest
26% 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
$6,476Lowest
8% above MA
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.9%±8.2
MA: 51.8%
33.3%±53.5Lowest
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±10Highest
MA: 51.8%
Dedham and Stoneham 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%
6.5%Highest
MA: 10%
5.6%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
91.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
73.4%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1964
same as MA
1969Highest
5 yrs newer than MA
1956Lowest
8 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
4% below MA
29 min
about the MA average
29 minHighest
about the MA average
Work from home
24.6%±3.6Highest
MA: 18.6%
14.1%±4Lowest
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 — #119 of 282 in MA
School district Stoneham Hampshire · Westhampton Dedham
High school in town Stoneham High Hampshire Regional High Dedham High
Students per teacherat that high school
10.7Highest
10.0Lowest
10.4
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.