Compare towns

Boylston vs Maynard vs Rowley

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Boylston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.3%).
Maynard has the most affordable homes ($527k median).
Rowley has the most expensive homes ($667k 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.

MeasureBoylstonMaynardRowley
People
Population
4,948Lowest
10,712Highest
6,251
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+11.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6.3%
MA: +7.4%
+5.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
48.2±2.3
21% above MA
45.3±4.3Lowest
13% above MA
50±6.3Highest
25% above MA
Rowley and Boylston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18%±3.6
MA: 19.4%
16.9%±4.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
19.3%±4.5Highest
MA: 19.4%
Rowley and Boylston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22%±4.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
18.2%±3.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
21.6%±4.1
MA: 17.9%
Boylston and Rowley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
54.9%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
64.2%Highest
MA: 47.3%
56.8%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±1.7
MA: 7.9%
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.8%±2.2Highest
MA: 7.9%
Rowley and Boylston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$140,962±$28kHighest
36% above MA
$124,067±$16kLowest
19% above MA
$132,734±$32k
28% above MA
Boylston and Rowley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$578,600±$47k
about the MA average
$527,400±$31kLowest
6% below MA
$667,300±$52kHighest
19% above MA
Rowley and Boylston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,032±$350Highest
15% above MA
$1,800±$148
about the MA average
$1,603±$520Lowest
9% below MA
Boylston and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,266Lowest
21% above MA
$8,266
38% above MA
$8,309Highest
39% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.1%±16.7
MA: 51.8%
44.9%±9.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
57.7%±27.3Highest
MA: 51.8%
Rowley and Boylston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.4%
MA: 10%
8.3%Highest
MA: 10%
3.1%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.2%
MA: 62.5%
75%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
81.7%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Highest
13 yrs newer than MA
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1975
11 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minLowest
8% below MA
32 minHighest
9% above MA
28 min
3% below MA
Work from home
22.7%±5.3
MA: 18.6%
22.9%±7.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
11.1%±4Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Maynard and Boylston 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 #72 of 282 in MA #166 of 282 in MA #214 of 282 in MA
School district Berlin-Boylston Maynard Triton
High school in town Tahanto Regional High Maynard High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1Highest
9.7Lowest
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.