Living in Needham, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Needham · Census data 2020–2024
Needham has 32,459 residents with a median age of 43.1. The median household income is $214,308 (106% higher than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $1,188,500, the median rent is $2,409/month.
Needham at a glance
- Population
- 32,459
- Median age
- 43.1State: 40
- Median household income
- $214,308State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $1,188,500State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $2,409/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 83.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 81.9%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Needham a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 106% higher than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 4.4%; a poverty rate of 3.7%.
Cons: Home values 111% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Needham
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Needham the median home value is $1,188,500, 257% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,409 per month, which is 33.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $4,001 a month in housing costs.
Needham median household income
The median household income in Needham is $214,308 and the income per person is $102,328. 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Needham: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 11,929
- Owner-occupied
- 83.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 16.9%
- Vacant
- 2.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1965
- Average household size
- 2.73
Needham demographics
- Population
- 32,459
- Median age
- 43.1
- Under 18
- 27.5%
- 65 and older
- 17.7%
- Households
- 11,586
- Foreign-born
- 16.8%
- Veterans
- 3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Needham ›
Education in Needham
81.9% of adults 25 and older in Needham have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 49.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Needham
- Unemployment rate
- 4.4%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 32.4%
- Drive alone
- 52.7%
- Public transit
- 7.6%
- Walk to work
- 2.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.7%
Needham vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needham | 32,459 | $214,308 | $1,188,500 | $2,409 |
| Wellesley | 30,347 | $250,001 | $1,582,700 | $2,886 |
| Newton | 89,044 | $190,304 | $1,264,900 | $2,370 |
| Dedham | 25,237 | $128,955 | $661,800 | $2,042 |
| Dover | 5,930 | $250,001 | $1,340,300 | $2,917 |
| Westwood | 16,318 | $223,125 | $1,041,500 | $2,553 |
| Natick | 36,873 | $138,538 | $821,000 | $2,134 |
| Brookline | 63,266 | $142,101 | $1,246,800 | $2,835 |
| Weston | 11,579 | $250,001 | $1,694,400 | $2,085 |
More for people moving to Needham
Needham ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Needham: FAQ
What is the median household income in Needham, MA?
The median household income in Needham is $214,308, 106% higher than the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Needham?
The median home value in Needham is $1,188,500, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Needham?
The median gross rent in Needham is $2,409 per month, about 33.3% of household income.
Is Needham, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 106% higher than the Massachusetts median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 4.4%; a poverty rate of 3.7%. Minuses: home values 111% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Needham?
The median age in Needham is 43.1 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Needham?
The average commute to work in Needham is 28 minutes; 32.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Needham?
The unemployment rate in Needham is 4.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Needham?
81.9% of adults in Needham have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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