Compare towns

Brookline vs Reading vs Newark

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Brookline has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Newark has the most affordable homes ($230k 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.

MeasureBrooklineReadingNewark
People
Population
531Lowest
699
727Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.9%
VT: +2.8%
+3.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+0.5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.1±2.7
5% above VT
51.1±7.6Highest
19% above VT
41.4±6Lowest
4% below VT
Reading and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20%±6
VT: 17.9%
18.5%±4.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
22%±3Highest
VT: 17.9%
Newark and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.6%±4.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
28.2%±3.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.9%±5.1
VT: 21.4%
Reading and Newark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
41.1%
VT: 43.8%
46%Highest
VT: 43.8%
41%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.2%±1.6Highest
VT: 7%
3.1%±2.5
VT: 7%
0.6%±0.6Lowest
VT: 7%
Brookline and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$80,833±$16k
about the VT average
$85,000±$19kHighest
5% above VT
$72,929±$7kLowest
10% below VT
Reading and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$290,700±$37k
8% below VT
$377,200±$72kHighest
19% above VT
$229,900±$23kLowest
27% below VT
Reading and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,732±$232Highest
40% above VT
$1,100±$331Lowest
11% below VT
$1,708±$97
38% above VT
Brookline and Newark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,000
about the VT average
$5,754Highest
14% above VT
$3,771Lowest
25% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47.8%±94.7
VT: 48.4%
63.3%±31.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
7.1%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Reading and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.4%
VT: 10.1%
22.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
84.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.8%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975
1 yr older than VT
1969Lowest
7 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
21% above VT
33 min
41% above VT
34 minHighest
44% above VT
Work from home
20.6%±5.2
VT: 16.9%
22.9%±10.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.8%±8.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Reading and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64
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.