Compare towns
Boxford vs Epping vs Topsfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Boxford has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Epping has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Topsfield has the shortest commute (24 min average).
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 | Boxford | Epping | Topsfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 8,208Highest |
7,430 |
2,624Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.1±3.6Highest 26% above U.S. |
45.1±3.5 16% above U.S. |
42.4±10.9Lowest 9% above U.S. |
| Boxford and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23.7%±5Highest U.S.: 22% |
18.7%±4.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
20.6%±5.3 U.S.: 22% |
| Boxford and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.2%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.6%±5.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.5%±5.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Epping and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 70.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
66.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.8%±2.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±3.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.6%±3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Epping and Boxford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $200,871±$21kHighest 149% above U.S. |
$104,220±$7kLowest 29% above U.S. |
$191,146±$21k 137% above U.S. |
| Boxford and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $907,000±$46kHighest 173% above U.S. |
$436,900±$35kLowest 31% above U.S. |
$836,600±$60k 151% above U.S. |
| Boxford and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $776±$13Lowest 45% below U.S. |
$1,742±$576Highest 23% above U.S. |
$994±$841 30% below U.S. |
| Epping and Topsfield 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. |
$6,936Lowest 122% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 67.2%±60.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
67.8%±25.9Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
42.4%±47.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Epping and Boxford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
4.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
82%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1989Highest 9 yrs newer than U.S. |
1962Lowest 18 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 18% above U.S. |
32 minHighest 22% above U.S. |
24 minLowest 9% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 21.6%±5.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
24%±6.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
19.5%±7.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Epping and Boxford 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 | #34 of 282 in MA | #77 of 120 in NH | #172 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Boxford · Masconomet | Epping School District | — |
| High school in town | Masconomet Regional High School | Epping High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.2Highest |
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.