Compare towns
Becket vs Hampden vs Oakham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Becket has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.5%).
Hampden has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Oakham has the most kids (18.2% under 18).
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 | Becket | Hampden | Oakham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,962 |
4,946Highest |
1,639Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.5%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-3.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
-2.7% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.6±4.7 24% above MA |
50.9±3.3Highest 27% above MA |
49±2.3Lowest 23% above MA |
| Hampden and Becket are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.3%±3.6 MA: 19.4% |
14%±3.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
18.2%±3.1Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Oakham and Becket are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.3%±3.4Lowest MA: 17.9% |
26.8%±5.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
21.4%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
| Hampden and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
36.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
40.3% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.4%±2Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.6%±1.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.8%±2.1 MA: 7.9% |
| Hampden and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $80,417±$29kLowest 23% below MA |
$104,536±$16kHighest about the MA average |
$102,000±$20k about the MA average |
| Hampden and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $361,000±$82k 36% below MA |
$358,200±$16kLowest 36% below MA |
$420,100±$20kHighest 25% below MA |
| Oakham and Becket are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,107±$1kHighest 20% above MA |
$1,132±$107Lowest 36% below MA |
$1,174±$81 33% below MA |
| Becket and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,047Lowest 49% below MA |
$6,181Highest 3% above MA |
$4,103 32% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 100%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
36.9%±42.4 MA: 51.8% |
27.8%±69.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Becket and Hampden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 12.1%Highest MA: 10% |
3.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
4.4% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 98.2%Highest MA: 62.5% |
94.9% MA: 62.5% |
91.6%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 13 yrs newer than MA |
1966Lowest 2 yrs newer than MA |
1979Highest 15 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 36 min 23% above MA |
26 minLowest 11% below MA |
39 minHighest 32% above MA |
| Work from home | 13.3%±4.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
9.9%±3.7 MA: 18.6% |
9.6%±3.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Becket and Hampden 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 | — | #199 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Central Berkshire | Hampden-Wilbraham | Quabbin |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.