Signals
Edina
Methuen
Opportunity
56 · Bottom 49%
vs52 · Bottom 42%
Growth
52 · Top 46%
vs59 · Top 34%
Climate
55 · Bottom 5%
vs63 · Bottom 25%
Housing affordability
77 · Bottom 45%
vs83 · Top 46%
Access
97 · Top 29%
vs94 · Top 44%
Economic stability
71 · Top 26%
vs74 · Top 20%
Measured values
| Metric | Edina | Methuen | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,262 | 53,475 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $128,767 | $113,310 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $93,210 | $46,042 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,446/sq mi | 2,407/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $646,300 | $499,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,844 | $1,749 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.4% | 72.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 4.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -2.1% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 72.7% | 31.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 4.7% | 7.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 197 | 82 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.7 | 1.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 212.7% | 355.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 9°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 31.6" | 40.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 7 mi | 19 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.2 min | 30.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 44.9 | 39.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Edina
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Methuen
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Full profiles: Edina, MN · Methuen, MA · How this is calculated: methodology