Compare towns

Burlington vs Ipswich vs Maynard

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Burlington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.7%).
Ipswich has the most kids (18.9% under 18).
Maynard has the most affordable homes ($527k 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.

MeasureBurlingtonIpswichMaynard
People
Population
26,274Highest
13,930
10,712Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.7%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+4.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6.3%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
45.9±2.2
15% above MA
47.2±3.5Highest
18% above MA
45.3±4.3Lowest
13% above MA
Ipswich and Burlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.1%±2.2
MA: 19.4%
18.9%±2.7Highest
MA: 19.4%
16.9%±4.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Ipswich and Burlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.9%±2.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
18.2%±3.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
58.4%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
60.2%
MA: 47.3%
64.2%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.6%±1Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.1%±1.3
MA: 7.9%
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Burlington and Ipswich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$146,436±$14kHighest
41% above MA
$138,750±$16k
33% above MA
$124,067±$16kLowest
19% above MA
Burlington and Ipswich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$740,600±$35k
32% above MA
$745,400±$40kHighest
33% above MA
$527,400±$31kLowest
6% below MA
Ipswich and Burlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,718±$368Highest
54% above MA
$1,598±$90Lowest
9% below MA
$1,800±$148
about the MA average
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,165Lowest
about the MA average
$7,960
33% above MA
$8,266Highest
38% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
50.4%±10.7
MA: 51.8%
51.5%±12.2Highest
MA: 51.8%
44.9%±9.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Ipswich and Burlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%
MA: 10%
5.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
8.3%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
74.4%
MA: 62.5%
75%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972Highest
8 yrs newer than MA
1964
same as MA
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
5% below MA
29 min
about the MA average
32 minHighest
9% above MA
Work from home
22.5%±3.2
MA: 18.6%
18.9%±3.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
22.9%±7.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
Maynard and Burlington 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 #83 of 282 in MA #101 of 282 in MA #166 of 282 in MA
School district Burlington Ipswich Maynard
High school in town Burlington High Ipswich High Maynard High
Students per teacherat that high school
11.3Highest
9.0Lowest
9.7
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.