Compare towns

Barre vs Warren vs Rutland

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Barre has the oldest population (median age 43.8).
Warren has the most affordable homes ($334k median).
Rutland has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13.5%).

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.

MeasureBarreWarrenRutland
People
Population
5,572
5,009Lowest
9,353Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.4%
MA: +7.4%
-3.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+13.5%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
43.8±8.5Highest
9% above MA
38.7±7.3Lowest
3% below MA
41.4±2.5
4% above MA
Barre and Rutland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.8%±5.4Lowest
MA: 19.4%
20.8%±8
MA: 19.4%
26.4%±5.4Highest
MA: 19.4%
Rutland and Warren are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19%±5.6Highest
MA: 17.9%
14.6%±4.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
14.7%±2.6
MA: 17.9%
Barre and Rutland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31.6%
MA: 47.3%
23.2%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
42%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±3.2
MA: 7.9%
2.9%±2.1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±2.3Highest
MA: 7.9%
Rutland and Barre are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$107,727±$13k
4% above MA
$66,082±$6kLowest
36% below MA
$145,707±$28kHighest
40% above MA
Rutland and Barre are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$394,300±$55k
30% below MA
$333,700±$35kLowest
41% below MA
$462,800±$33kHighest
18% below MA
Rutland and Barre are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,030±$713
42% below MA
$890±$174Lowest
49% below MA
$1,078±$170Highest
39% below MA
Rutland and Barre are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,163
14% below MA
$4,530Lowest
24% below MA
$5,657Highest
6% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
38.2%±27.5
MA: 51.8%
29.7%±18.4Lowest
MA: 51.8%
47.8%±26.7Highest
MA: 51.8%
Rutland and Barre are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.2%
MA: 10%
9%Highest
MA: 10%
2.1%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.8%
MA: 62.5%
64.5%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
89.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
7 yrs newer than MA
1975
11 yrs newer than MA
1990Highest
26 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
36 min
24% above MA
33 minLowest
13% above MA
37 minHighest
27% above MA
Work from home
11.2%±4.6
MA: 18.6%
8.5%±5.4Lowest
MA: 18.6%
16.1%±5Highest
MA: 18.6%
Rutland and Barre 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 #134 of 282 in MA #165 of 282 in MA #150 of 282 in MA
School district Quabbin Quaboag Regional Wachusett
High school in town Quabbin Regional High School Quaboag Regional High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
12.9Highest
10.0Lowest
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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.