Compare towns

Cambridge vs Jay vs Jackson

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Cambridge has the most kids (21.2% under 18).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Jackson has the oldest population (median age 56.9).

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.

MeasureCambridgeJayJackson
People
Population
2,262Highest
471Lowest
1,695
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-4.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
46.9±6.2Lowest
21% above U.S.
52.1±10.5
34% above U.S.
56.9±3.6Highest
46% above U.S.
Jackson and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.2%±5.8Highest
U.S.: 22%
14.2%±7.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
14.6%±3.3
U.S.: 22%
Cambridge and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.2%±4.8
U.S.: 17.2%
15.5%±6.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
33.4%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
45.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
32.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
8.3%±6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.9%±2.5
U.S.: 6.4%
1.8%±1.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cambridge and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$72,612±$22kLowest
10% below U.S.
$74,792±$25k
7% below U.S.
$77,375±$8kHighest
4% below U.S.
Jackson and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$193,800±$32kLowest
42% below U.S.
$234,200±$45k
30% below U.S.
$235,400±$40kHighest
29% below U.S.
Jackson and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,164±$142Highest
18% below U.S.
—
$1,139±$43Lowest
19% below U.S.
Cambridge and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,111Highest
64% above U.S.
$3,588Lowest
15% above U.S.
$4,165
34% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
84.7%±20.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
40%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
77.8%±44.7
U.S.: 51.1%
Cambridge and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
14.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
7.5%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
97%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
91.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
2001Highest
21 yrs newer than U.S.
1971
9 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minLowest
26% above U.S.
40 minHighest
50% above U.S.
34 min
30% above U.S.
Work from home
13.5%±7
U.S.: 15.1%
27.3%±13.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.1%±3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Jay and Cambridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District —
High school in town — None in town —
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.