Compare towns
Windham vs Hingham vs Needham vs Bedford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Windham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.4%).
Hingham has the oldest population (median age 48.4).
Needham has the highest household income ($214k).
Bedford has the most affordable homes ($612k 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.
| Measure | Windham | Hingham | Needham | Bedford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 16,038Lowest |
24,283 |
32,459Highest |
23,746 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +16.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+11.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
+10% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.1±2.9Lowest 6% above U.S. |
48.4±2.4Highest 24% above U.S. |
43.1±1.6 11% above U.S. |
45±2.2 16% above U.S. |
| Hingham and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 27.4%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
23.4%±2.1 U.S.: 22% |
27.5%±2.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
22.7%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Needham and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.5%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
26%±2.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.7%±1.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.5%±2.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 62.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
76.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
81.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
63% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.8%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.9%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±1.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.7%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Needham and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $189,583±$19k 135% above U.S. |
$178,390±$15k 121% above U.S. |
$214,308±$13kHighest 165% above U.S. |
$167,418±$12kLowest 107% above U.S. |
| Needham and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $723,300±$50k 117% above U.S. |
$1,134,200±$47k 241% above U.S. |
$1,188,500±$43kHighest 257% above U.S. |
$612,100±$26kLowest 84% above U.S. |
| Needham and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $3,218±$350Highest 128% above U.S. |
$2,465±$603 74% above U.S. |
$2,409±$183 70% above U.S. |
$2,099±$274Lowest 49% above U.S. |
| Windham and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$9,803Lowest 214% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.2%±50.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
60.3%±12Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
55.9%±8.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
59.4%±15.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hingham and Bedford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
80.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
83.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
82.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1996Highest 16 yrs newer than U.S. |
1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1965Lowest 15 yrs older than U.S. |
1990 10 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 17% above U.S. |
36 minHighest 37% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
25 minLowest 4% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 21.9%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
33.1%±3.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
32.4%±2.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
27%±3.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Hingham and Needham 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 | #13 of 120 in NH | #14 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #7 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Windham School District | Hingham | Needham | Bedford School District |
| High school in town | Windham High School | Hingham High | Needham High | Bedford High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8 |
12.9 |
11.9Lowest |
13.5Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.