Compare towns
Bolton vs Dover vs Epping
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Bolton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+15.7%).
Dover has the most expensive homes ($1308k median).
Epping has the most affordable homes ($437k 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 | Dover | Epping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,737 |
2,308Lowest |
7,430Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +15.7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+8.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+11.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.2±1.7Lowest 6% above U.S. |
47.5±4Highest 22% above U.S. |
45.1±3.5 16% above U.S. |
| Dover and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 25%±3.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
20.9%±4.8 U.S.: 22% |
18.7%±4.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Bolton and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.7%±3.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
15.5%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.6%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Epping and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
83.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.6%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
9.4%±4.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±3.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Dover and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $205,449±$31k 154% above U.S. |
$250,001Highest 210% above U.S. |
$104,220±$7kLowest 29% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $796,000±$49k 139% above U.S. |
$1,308,300±$149kHighest 293% above U.S. |
$436,900±$35kLowest 31% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,583±$1kLowest 12% above U.S. |
— | $1,742±$576Highest 23% above U.S. |
| Epping 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 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$6,936Lowest 122% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 12.7%±45.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
67.8%±25.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dover and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
4.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
97.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1967Lowest 13 yrs older than U.S. |
1989Highest 9 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 39% above U.S. |
37 min 39% above U.S. |
32 minLowest 22% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 40.5%±6.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
37.4%±8.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
24%±6.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Bolton and Dover 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 | #1 of 282 in MA | #77 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Nashoba | — | Epping School District |
| High school in town | Nashoba Regional | — | Epping High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.0Highest |
— | 9.3Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.