Compare towns
Wellesley vs Everett vs Newton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Wellesley has the highest household income ($250k).
Everett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+17.8%).
Newton has the oldest population (median age 42.1).
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 | Wellesley | Everett | Newton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 30,347Lowest |
50,045 |
89,044Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.6% MA: +7.4% |
+17.8%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+4.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 37.1±2.2 7% below MA |
35.2±1.5Lowest 12% below MA |
42.1±0.9Highest 5% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 24.1%±2Highest MA: 19.4% |
21.8%±2.1 MA: 19.4% |
20.5%±1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Wellesley and Everett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.5%±1.3 MA: 17.9% |
11.3%±1.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
19.1%±0.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 89%Highest MA: 47.3% |
24.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
81.1% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 18.3%±0.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
6.3%±0.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
11.1%±0.7 MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $250,001Highest 140% above MA |
$85,218±$7kLowest 18% below MA |
$190,304±$9k 83% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,582,700±$49kHighest 182% above MA |
$610,000±$23kLowest 9% above MA |
$1,264,900±$43k 125% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,886±$360Highest 64% above MA |
$2,076±$69Lowest 18% above MA |
$2,370±$81 35% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$4,880Lowest 19% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.1%±8.2 MA: 51.8% |
56.4%±5.8Highest MA: 51.8% |
43.3%±4.5Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Everett and Wellesley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4%Lowest MA: 10% |
14.7%Highest MA: 10% |
4.5% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
37.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
70% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1955Highest 9 yrs older than MA |
1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1942 22 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 7% below MA |
35 minHighest 20% above MA |
27 minLowest 9% below MA |
| Work from home | 32%±2.9 MA: 18.6% |
10.5%±2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32.2%±2Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Newton and Wellesley 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 | #6 of 282 in MA | #264 of 282 in MA | #25 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Everett | Newton |
| High school in town | — | Everett High | Newton North High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.1Highest |
10.8Lowest |
| 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.