Cost of Living in Dedham, MA

Population 25,109 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023

187
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Dedham's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $630,000 for a typical home, 107% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $124,375 that put it in the upper third of the state.

Dedham sits roughly 9 miles west of Quincy — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Quincy's $598,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 207
Rent 157

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Dedham

The median home value in Dedham is $630,400 — 107% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,058/month, 57% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $124,375/year is 67% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Massachusetts's top state income tax rate is 9.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.3%. Overall, Dedham has a cost of living index of 187 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 87% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$630,400
107% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$747,470
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,058/mo
57% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,975/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.5x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,429
1 BR
$1,498
2 BR
$1,963
3 BR
$2,405
4 BR
$2,811
Owner-occupied 72.7%
Renter-occupied 27.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,058
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,672/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
32.9 min
22% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
18.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
65.2%
Carpooled
6.9%
Public transit
5.4%
Walked
2.6%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
18.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.0%
Total Sales Tax 6.3%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$124,375
67% above avg
Per Capita Income
$67,595
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
26% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Labor Force Participation
70.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.2%
Graduate degree 25.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.5
Male median age 41.4
Female median age 45.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
75.6%
Good air days/yr
136
Max AQI recorded
135
PM2.5 days
229
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

93%
4-Year Graduation Rate
11.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
2,736
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Dedham, MA?

Dedham has a cost index of 187 (100 = national average). It is 87% above the national average.

What is average rent in Dedham, MA?

The median gross rent in Dedham is $2,058 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Dedham?

The median home value in Dedham is $630,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Dedham?

The median household income in Dedham is $124,375 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Dedham, MA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Dedham is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.

Is Dedham, MA affordable?

Dedham is above average in cost of living, with an index of 187 — about 87% higher than the national average.

Dedham at a Glance

Population
25,109
Median Income
$124,375
Home Value
$630,400
Median Rent
$2,058/mo
Unemployment
3.6%
Sales Tax
6.3%
View all cities in Massachusetts →
🗺️ County data for Massachusetts

Explore county-level cost of living data

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