Compare towns

Wendell vs Hingham vs Orange

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Wendell has the most homeowners (86.7%).
Hingham has the most expensive homes ($1134k median).
Orange has the most affordable homes ($246k 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.

MeasureWendellHinghamOrange
People
Population
850Lowest
24,283Highest
7,573
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9%
MA: +7.4%
+9.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-3.4%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
47.1±8.8
18% above MA
48.4±2.4Highest
21% above MA
41.8±2.2Lowest
4% above MA
Hingham and Wendell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16%±3.5Lowest
MA: 19.4%
23.4%±2.1Highest
MA: 19.4%
22.2%±3.8
MA: 19.4%
Hingham and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.7%±5.7
MA: 17.9%
26%±2.6Highest
MA: 17.9%
20.3%±3.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Hingham and Wendell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
51.2%
MA: 47.3%
76.2%Highest
MA: 47.3%
15.7%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±2.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.9%±0.9
MA: 7.9%
2%±0.9Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Wendell and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$65,288±$14k
37% below MA
$178,390±$15kHighest
72% above MA
$55,824±$10kLowest
46% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$290,300±$31k
48% below MA
$1,134,200±$47kHighest
102% above MA
$245,900±$18kLowest
56% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,239±$519
30% below MA
$2,465±$603Highest
40% above MA
$775±$233Lowest
56% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,519
25% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$4,136Lowest
31% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
55.6%±40.8
MA: 51.8%
60.3%±12Highest
MA: 51.8%
41%±11.9Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Hingham and Wendell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
21.3%
MA: 10%
4.3%Lowest
MA: 10%
22.4%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.7%Highest
MA: 62.5%
80.7%
MA: 62.5%
70%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Highest
17 yrs newer than MA
1976
12 yrs newer than MA
1966Lowest
2 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 min
13% above MA
36 minHighest
24% above MA
33 minLowest
13% above MA
Work from home
16.8%±7.8
MA: 18.6%
33.1%±3.3Highest
MA: 18.6%
6.6%±2.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — #14 of 282 in MA #275 of 282 in MA
School district New Salem-Wendell Hingham Orange · Ralph C Mahar
High school in town None in town Hingham High Ralph C Mahar Regional
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.9Highest
9.0Lowest
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.