Compare towns

Braintree vs Pawlet vs Rupert

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Braintree has the most affordable homes ($218k median).
Pawlet has the most kids (20.3% under 18).
Rupert has the most expensive homes ($363k 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.

MeasureBraintreePawletRupert
People
Population
1,026
1,480Highest
676Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.1%
VT: +2.8%
-3.6%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-2.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
58.4±2.4Highest
35% above VT
47.9±7.5Lowest
11% above VT
57.8±9.7
34% above VT
Braintree and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.3%±3.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
20.3%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
13.9%±3.7
VT: 17.9%
Pawlet and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.2%±3.4
VT: 21.4%
27.3%±2.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
42.3%±8.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
Rupert and Braintree are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
30.9%
VT: 43.8%
37.5%Highest
VT: 43.8%
30.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.8%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
4.4%±2.9Highest
VT: 7%
2.1%±2.5
VT: 7%
Pawlet and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$79,803±$5k
about the VT average
$62,273±$14kLowest
23% below VT
$88,229±$36kHighest
9% above VT
Rupert and Braintree are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$217,700±$28kLowest
31% below VT
$266,200±$44k
16% below VT
$362,500±$63kHighest
14% above VT
Rupert and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$840±$405Lowest
32% below VT
$1,153±$215Highest
7% below VT
—
Pawlet and Braintree are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,908Lowest
22% below VT
$3,924
22% below VT
$4,594Highest
9% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
43.4%±29.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
42.6%±21.3
VT: 48.4%
20%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Braintree and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.1%Highest
VT: 10.1%
10%
VT: 10.1%
6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
87.8%
VT: 73.2%
93.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979Highest
3 yrs newer than VT
1964
12 yrs older than VT
1955Lowest
21 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
11% above VT
33 minHighest
40% above VT
27 min
14% above VT
Work from home
19%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
20.4%±8.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
18.6%±9.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Pawlet and Braintree are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 Mettawee School District #84 —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

VT 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.