Compare towns
Bolton vs Acton vs Hudson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Bolton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+15.7%).
Acton has the oldest population (median age 44.5).
Hudson has the most affordable homes ($473k 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.
| Measure | Bolton | Acton | Hudson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,737Lowest |
24,155Highest |
15,719 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +15.7%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+9.6% MA: +7.4% |
+5.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.2±1.7Lowest 3% above MA |
44.5±0.8Highest 11% above MA |
43.8±2.6 9% above MA |
| Acton and Hudson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 25%±3.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
23.2%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
17.8%±2.6Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Bolton and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.7%±3.2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
17.6%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
21.4%±2.7Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Hudson and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
79.5% MA: 47.3% |
43.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.6%±1.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.9%±1.2Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.8%±1.2 MA: 7.9% |
| Acton and Hudson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $205,449±$31kHighest 98% above MA |
$158,230±$14k 52% above MA |
$90,524±$9kLowest 13% below MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $796,000±$49k 42% above MA |
$807,300±$20kHighest 44% above MA |
$473,300±$15kLowest 16% below MA |
| Acton and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,583±$1k 10% below MA |
$1,986±$155Highest 13% above MA |
$1,397±$83Lowest 21% below MA |
| Acton and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$6,597Lowest 10% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 12.7%±45.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
47.7%±11.3Highest MA: 51.8% |
40.4%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
| Acton and Hudson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.9%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.4% MA: 10% |
6.3%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.7%Highest MA: 62.5% |
74.9% MA: 62.5% |
68%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 24 yrs newer than MA |
1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
1968Lowest 4 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 26% above MA |
35 min 19% above MA |
30 minLowest 4% above MA |
| Work from home | 40.5%±6.9Highest MA: 18.6% |
35.9%±4.6 MA: 18.6% |
18.3%±4.2Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Bolton and Acton 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 | #28 of 282 in MA | #13 of 282 in MA | #224 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Nashoba | Acton-Boxborough | — |
| High school in town | Nashoba Regional | Acton-Boxborough Regional High | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.0Lowest |
13.5Highest |
— |
| 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.