Compare towns

Washington vs Dedham vs Leyden

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Washington has the shortest commute (25 min average).
Dedham has the most expensive homes ($662k median).
Leyden has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).

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.

MeasureWashingtonDedhamLeyden
People
Population
526Lowest
25,237Highest
637
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-8.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+2.6%
MA: +7.4%
+3.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
56.5±7.7Highest
41% above MA
44.6±1.6Lowest
12% above MA
53.2±8.2
33% above MA
Washington and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.3%±5.9Lowest
MA: 19.4%
18.6%±1.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
13.8%±3.6
MA: 19.4%
Dedham and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
35.4%±1.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
28.6%±2.7
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
55%Highest
MA: 47.3%
40%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.3%±1.8
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1Highest
MA: 7.9%
0.5%±2.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$95,278±$12kLowest
8% below MA
$128,955±$10kHighest
24% above MA
$105,893±$13k
about the MA average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$370,700±$32kLowest
34% below MA
$661,800±$16kHighest
18% above MA
$372,900±$24k
34% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$2,042±$182Highest
16% above MA
$1,917±$451Lowest
9% above MA
Dedham and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,381Lowest
27% below MA
$7,918Highest
32% above MA
$4,651
22% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±10Highest
MA: 51.8%
42.9%±100
MA: 51.8%
Dedham and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
5.6%
MA: 10%
10.8%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.5%
MA: 62.5%
73.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
93.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
1956Lowest
8 yrs older than MA
1976Highest
12 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
13% below MA
29 min
about the MA average
33 minHighest
12% above MA
Work from home
12.9%±10.3
MA: 18.6%
20%±2.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
11%±5Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Dedham and Washington 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 — #119 of 282 in MA —
School district — Dedham —
High school in town — Dedham High —
Students per teacherat that high school —
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.