Compare towns
Andover vs Reading vs Reading vs Methuen
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Andover has the most expensive homes ($856k median).
Methuen has the most affordable homes ($500k 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.
| Measure | Andover | Reading | Reading | Methuen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 36,652 |
25,612Lowest |
25,612Lowest |
53,475Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+3.1%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+3.1%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
— |
| Median age | 42.9±1 7% above MA |
43.7±2.3Highest 9% above MA |
43.7±2.3Highest 9% above MA |
39.9±1.7Lowest about the MA average |
| Kids under 18 | 23.6%±1.8Highest MA: 19.4% |
22.8%±2.2 MA: 19.4% |
22.8%±2.2 MA: 19.4% |
21.3%±1.7Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Andover and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 16%±1.3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
20.7%±2.3Highest MA: 17.9% |
20.7%±2.3Highest MA: 17.9% |
17.2%±1.3 MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 75.6%Highest MA: 47.3% |
66.3% MA: 47.3% |
66.3% MA: 47.3% |
31%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.1%±0.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
2.9%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
2.9%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
6.7%±1 MA: 7.9% |
| Andover and Methuen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $172,606±$16kHighest 66% above MA |
$165,912±$13k 60% above MA |
$165,912±$13k 60% above MA |
$113,310±$7kLowest 9% above MA |
| Andover and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $855,600±$22kHighest 52% above MA |
$809,000±$22k 44% above MA |
$809,000±$22k 44% above MA |
$499,700±$17kLowest 11% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,201±$129Highest 25% above MA |
$1,991±$273 13% above MA |
$1,991±$273 13% above MA |
$1,749±$91Lowest about the MA average |
| Andover and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$9,320 56% above MA |
$9,320 56% above MA |
$5,061Lowest 16% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 39.7%±7.7 MA: 51.8% |
27.8%±9.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
27.8%±9.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
48.4%±6.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Methuen and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.9%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.2% MA: 10% |
3.2% MA: 10% |
7.9%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79.9% MA: 62.5% |
82.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
82.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
72.3%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1973Highest 9 yrs newer than MA |
1960Lowest 4 yrs older than MA |
1960Lowest 4 yrs older than MA |
1968 4 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min about the MA average |
31 minHighest 6% above MA |
31 minHighest 6% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
| Work from home | 30.4%±2.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
30.2%±4.1 MA: 18.6% |
30.2%±4.1 MA: 18.6% |
12.2%±2.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Andover and Reading 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 | #50 of 282 in MA | #50 of 282 in MA | #236 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Andover · Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical | — | Reading | Methuen |
| High school in town | Gr Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical | — | Reading Memorial High | Methuen High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8 |
— | 12.1Lowest |
13.1Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
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.