Signals
Stoneham
Melrose
Opportunity
65 · Top 32%
vs63 · Top 35%
Climate
65 · Bottom 36%
vs65 · Bottom 36%
Physical resilience
88 · Top 14%
vs88 · Top 14%
Housing affordability
65 · Bottom 27%
vs71 · Bottom 35%
Schools
79 · Top 15%
vs81 · Top 13%
Access
99 · Top 14%
vs99 · Top 14%
Economic stability
77 · Top 13%
vs80 · Top 7%
Measured values
| Metric | Stoneham | Melrose | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,355 | 29,650 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $113,964 | $133,953 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $62,866 | $67,861 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,882/sq mi | 6,331/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $671,900 | $822,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,035 | $1,970 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.0% | 67.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9% | 4.0% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 55.9% | 62.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 5.4% | 3.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 82°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 23°F | 23°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 43.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 9 mi | 7 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 31.2 min | 38.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.2 | 43.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 5 | 8 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 11.33 | 13.92 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 43.9% | 50.3% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 57.9% | 63.8% | 2019-20 school 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
Stoneham
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Melrose
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: Stoneham, MA · Melrose, MA · How this is calculated: methodology