Compare towns
Becket vs Putney vs Middlefield vs Oakham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Becket has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.5%).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Middlefield has the oldest population (median age 56.9).
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 | Putney | Middlefield | Oakham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,962 |
2,622Highest |
352Lowest |
1,639 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
-26.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.6±4.7 28% above U.S. |
37.2±5.2Lowest 4% below U.S. |
56.9±3.7Highest 46% above U.S. |
49±2.3 26% above U.S. |
| Middlefield 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 U.S.: 22% |
15.4%±4.1 U.S.: 22% |
4.5%±9.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.2%±3.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Oakham and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.3%±3.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
28.7%±8.5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.4%±2.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Middlefield 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
48.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
31.8%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
40.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.4%±2 U.S.: 6.4% |
20.4%±3.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±4.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.8%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $80,417±$29k about the U.S. average |
$79,706±$18kLowest about the U.S. average |
$103,750±$23kHighest 29% above U.S. |
$102,000±$20k 26% above U.S. |
| Middlefield 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 9% above U.S. |
$300,000±$44kLowest 10% below U.S. |
$332,800±$48k about the U.S. average |
$420,100±$20kHighest 26% above U.S. |
| 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±$1k 49% above U.S. |
$508±$482Lowest 64% below U.S. |
$2,625±$1kHighest 86% above U.S. |
$1,174±$81 17% below U.S. |
| Middlefield and Becket are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,047Lowest about the U.S. average |
$5,313Highest 70% above U.S. |
$4,926 58% above U.S. |
$4,103 32% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
54.2%±19.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
27.8%±69.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Below poverty line | 12.1% U.S.: 12.5% |
16%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
12.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
4.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 98.2%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
72.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
94.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
91.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1979Highest 1 yr older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 36 min 36% above U.S. |
18 minLowest 32% below U.S. |
30 min 13% above U.S. |
39 minHighest 46% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 13.3%±4.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.9%±6.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.2%±9.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
9.6%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Putney and Becket 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 | — | #32 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Central Berkshire | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | — | Quabbin |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 6 photos → | None yet | 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.