Compare towns

Avon vs Springfield vs Worcester

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Avon has the highest household income ($131k).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Worcester has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.1%).

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.

MeasureAvonSpringfieldWorcester
People
Population
4,774Lowest
154,749
207,055Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.7%
MA: +7.4%
+1.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+14.1%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
37.5±4Highest
6% below MA
33.7±0.5Lowest
16% below MA
33.9±0.5
15% below MA
Avon and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.6%±4.6
MA: 19.4%
24.2%±0.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
19.6%±0.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Springfield and Avon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.6%±4.7Highest
MA: 17.9%
13.2%±0.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
13.3%±0.6
MA: 17.9%
Avon and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
30.6%
MA: 47.3%
20.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
35.2%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.6%±2.7
MA: 7.9%
7.5%±0.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
14.1%±0.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$130,625±$33kHighest
26% above MA
$52,656±$2kLowest
49% below MA
$70,102±$2k
33% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$509,600±$62kHighest
9% below MA
$245,000±$4kLowest
56% below MA
$374,400±$7k
33% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,558±$265Highest
12% below MA
$1,144±$55Lowest
35% below MA
$1,487±$38
16% below MA
Avon and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,627Highest
11% above MA
$3,695Lowest
38% below MA
$4,733
21% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.3%±24.4Lowest
MA: 51.8%
57.7%±3.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
54.2%±2.9
MA: 51.8%
Springfield and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
25.8%Highest
MA: 10%
19.6%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.7%Highest
MA: 62.5%
49.6%
MA: 62.5%
42.8%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1954Highest
10 yrs older than MA
1952
12 yrs older than MA
1951Lowest
13 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minHighest
5% below MA
20 minLowest
31% below MA
24 min
17% below MA
Work from home
10.3%±3.9
MA: 18.6%
8.4%±0.9Lowest
MA: 18.6%
11.5%±1Highest
MA: 18.6%
Worcester and Avon 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 #212 of 282 in MA #276 of 282 in MA #266 of 282 in MA
School district Avon Springfield Ma Academy for Math and Science · Worcester
High school in town Avon Middle High School Springfield Central High South High Community
Students per teacherat that high school
9.4Lowest
12.2
14.6Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.