Compare towns

Acton vs Concord vs Maynard

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Acton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.6%).
Concord has the most expensive homes ($1210k median).
Maynard has the most affordable homes ($527k median).

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.

MeasureActonConcordMaynard
People
Population
24,155Highest
18,223
10,712Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+4.7%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6.3%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
44.5±0.8Lowest
11% above MA
47.6±2Highest
19% above MA
45.3±4.3
13% above MA
Concord and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.2%±2.5
MA: 19.4%
23.6%±2.6Highest
MA: 19.4%
16.9%±4.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Concord and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.6%±1.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
23.7%±2.9Highest
MA: 17.9%
18.2%±3.3
MA: 17.9%
Concord and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
79.5%Highest
MA: 47.3%
79.4%
MA: 47.3%
64.2%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.9%±1.2
MA: 7.9%
5.5%±1.7Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Concord and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$158,230±$14k
52% above MA
$195,350±$22kHighest
88% above MA
$124,067±$16kLowest
19% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$807,300±$20k
44% above MA
$1,210,000±$72kHighest
115% above MA
$527,400±$31kLowest
6% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,986±$155
13% above MA
$2,631±$166Highest
49% above MA
$1,800±$148Lowest
about the MA average
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$8,266Lowest
38% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47.7%±11.3
MA: 51.8%
53.2%±10.5Highest
MA: 51.8%
44.9%±9.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Concord and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
3.7%
MA: 10%
8.3%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74.9%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
75.7%Highest
MA: 62.5%
75%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
1969
5 yrs newer than MA
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
35 minHighest
19% above MA
32 min
11% above MA
32 minLowest
9% above MA
Work from home
35.9%±4.6
MA: 18.6%
36.1%±4.5Highest
MA: 18.6%
22.9%±7.7Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Concord and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #13 of 282 in MA #10 of 282 in MA #166 of 282 in MA
School district Acton-Boxborough Concord · Concord-Carlisle —
High school in town Acton-Boxborough Regional High Concord Carlisle High —
Students per teacherat that high school
13.5Highest
11.4Lowest
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MA 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.