Compare towns

Windham vs Needham vs Needham

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%).

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.

MeasureWindhamNeedhamNeedham
People
Population
16,038Lowest
32,459Highest
32,459Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+11.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+11.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
41.1±2.9Lowest
6% above U.S.
43.1±1.6Highest
11% above U.S.
43.1±1.6Highest
11% above U.S.
Kids under 18
27.4%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
27.5%±2.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
27.5%±2.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
15.5%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.7%±1.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.7%±1.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
62.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
81.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
81.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.8%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.4%±1.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.4%±1.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$189,583±$19kLowest
135% above U.S.
$214,308±$13kHighest
165% above U.S.
$214,308±$13kHighest
165% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$723,300±$50kLowest
117% above U.S.
$1,188,500±$43kHighest
257% above U.S.
$1,188,500±$43kHighest
257% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$3,218±$350Highest
128% above U.S.
$2,409±$183Lowest
70% above U.S.
$2,409±$183Lowest
70% above U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+
at least 221% above U.S.
$10,000+
at least 221% above U.S.
$10,000+
at least 221% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.2%±50.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
55.9%±8.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
55.9%±8.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Below poverty line
2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
83.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
83.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1996Highest
16 yrs newer than U.S.
1965Lowest
15 yrs older than U.S.
1965Lowest
15 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
28 minLowest
5% above U.S.
28 minLowest
5% above U.S.
Work from home
21.9%±4.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
32.4%±2.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
32.4%±2.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #13 of 120 in NH #19 of 282 in MA #19 of 282 in MA
School district Windham School District Needham —
High school in town Windham High School Needham High —
Students per teacherat that high school
12.8Highest
11.9Lowest
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.