Compare towns
Andover vs Lawrence vs Mapleton vs Milton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Andover has the oldest population (median age 42.9).
Lawrence has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.7%).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Milton has the highest household income ($189k).
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.
| Measure | Andover | Lawrence | Mapleton | Milton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 36,652 |
88,736Highest |
1,884Lowest |
28,587 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
+16.7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.9±1Highest 10% above U.S. |
32.6±0.9Lowest 16% below U.S. |
41.8±6 7% above U.S. |
41.1±1.8 6% above U.S. |
| Andover and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 23.6%±1.8 U.S.: 22% |
26.3%±1.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
25.3%±2.2 U.S.: 22% |
| Lawrence and Milton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 16%±1.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
10.5%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
16.1%±1.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Mapleton and Milton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 75.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
16.8%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
71.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.1%±0.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±0.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
9.7%±1.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Milton and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $172,606±$16k 114% above U.S. |
$60,433±$3kLowest 25% below U.S. |
$91,731±$25k 14% above U.S. |
$188,529±$15kHighest 134% above U.S. |
| Milton and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $855,600±$22k 157% above U.S. |
$415,200±$23k 25% above U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$933,200±$31kHighest 180% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,201±$129Highest 56% above U.S. |
$1,662±$50 18% above U.S. |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
$1,474±$281 4% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$3,422 10% above U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$9,677 210% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 39.7%±7.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
60.6%±3.6Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
45.7%±20.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Lawrence and Milton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
17.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
4.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
28.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
85.2%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1973 7 yrs older than U.S. |
1950 30 yrs older than U.S. |
1977Highest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1945Lowest 35 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 10% above U.S. |
23 minLowest 13% below U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
31 minHighest 19% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 30.4%±2.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
6.8%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
29.7%±2.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Andover and Milton 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 | #68 of 282 in MA | #278 of 282 in MA | — | #55 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Andover · Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical | Lawrence | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | Milton |
| High school in town | Gr Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical | Lawrence High School | None in town | Milton High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8 |
13.6Highest |
— | 12.4Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.