What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ayer has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).

Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k 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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Ayer	Rye
People
Population	8,645Highest	5,611Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+14.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	+4.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	39.2±2.8Lowest about the U.S. average	55.1±3Highest 42% above U.S.
Kids under 18	20.3%±3.9Highest U.S.: 22%	18.2%±4Lowest U.S.: 22%
	Ayer and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	14.5%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2%	31.7%±5.3Highest U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	42.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%	61.5%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	4.5%±1.5Highest U.S.: 6.4%	2.2%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4%
	Ayer and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$101,875±$15kLowest 26% above U.S.	$140,655±$39kHighest 74% above U.S.
	Rye and Ayer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$463,800±$29kLowest 39% above U.S.	$1,028,100±$89kHighest 209% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,415±$180Lowest about the U.S. average	$1,781±$156Highest 26% above U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$5,057Lowest 62% above U.S.	$7,519Highest 141% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	45.1%±14.2Highest U.S.: 51.1%	44.3%±16.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	Ayer and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	10.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	6.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	69.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	85.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1977Highest 3 yrs older than U.S.	1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	33 minHighest 25% above U.S.	29 minLowest 9% above U.S.
Work from home	21.6%±5.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1%	30.9%±7.6Highest U.S.: 15.1%
	Rye and Ayer 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	#113 of 282 in MA	#2 of 120 in NH
School district	Ayer Shirley School District	Rye School District
High school in town	Ayer Shirley Regional High School	None in town
Students per teacherat that high school	11.5	—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	12 photos →	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.