Compare towns

Chicopee vs Ludlow vs Holyoke

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Chicopee has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.5%).
Ludlow has the most homeowners (77.5%).
Holyoke has the most renters (58.7% rent).

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.

MeasureChicopeeLudlowHolyoke
People
Population
55,295Highest
20,904Lowest
37,813
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.5%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-0.5%
MA: +7.4%
-4.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
41.9±1.4
5% above MA
44.3±1.8Highest
11% above MA
40±1.6Lowest
about the MA average
Ludlow and Chicopee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.2%±1.7
MA: 19.4%
16.4%±2.4Lowest
MA: 19.4%
21.4%±1.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
Holyoke and Chicopee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.5%±1.4Lowest
MA: 17.9%
21.8%±2.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
20.1%±1.6
MA: 17.9%
Ludlow and Holyoke are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
22.9%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
27%Highest
MA: 47.3%
25.9%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.7%±0.6
MA: 7.9%
5.2%±1.7Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.4%±0.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Ludlow and Chicopee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$62,615±$6k
40% below MA
$84,838±$7kHighest
18% below MA
$53,605±$3kLowest
48% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$274,500±$8k
51% below MA
$335,300±$10kHighest
40% below MA
$274,100±$8kLowest
51% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,157±$50
34% below MA
$1,223±$82Highest
31% below MA
$1,021±$60Lowest
42% below MA
Ludlow and Chicopee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,847Lowest
36% below MA
$4,918Highest
18% below MA
$4,065
32% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52%±5.6Highest
MA: 51.8%
50.7%±9.5Lowest
MA: 51.8%
51.7%±5.4
MA: 51.8%
Chicopee and Holyoke are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
17.3%
MA: 10%
6.8%Lowest
MA: 10%
27%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
55.7%
MA: 62.5%
77.5%Highest
MA: 62.5%
41.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1958
6 yrs older than MA
1964Highest
same as MA
1950Lowest
14 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minHighest
27% below MA
20 min
31% below MA
19 minLowest
34% below MA
Work from home
8%±1.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
14%±3.4Highest
MA: 18.6%
11.1%±2.5
MA: 18.6%
Ludlow and Holyoke 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 #247 of 282 in MA #154 of 282 in MA #281 of 282 in MA
School district Chicopee Ludlow Holyoke · Springfield
High school in town Chicopee Comprehensive High School Ludlow Senior High Holyoke High
Students per teacherat that high school
11.2
11.1Lowest
12.5Highest
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.