Compare towns

Chicopee vs Rowley vs Springfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Rowley has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.6%).
Springfield has the most kids (24.2% under 18).

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.

MeasureChicopeeRowleySpringfield
People
Population
55,295
1,708Lowest
154,749Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.5%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+7.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+1.9%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
41.9±1.4
5% above MA
46.3±16.7Highest
16% above MA
33.7±0.5Lowest
16% below MA
Rowley 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%
18.3%±6.9Lowest
MA: 19.4%
24.2%±0.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
Age 65+
19.5%±1.4
MA: 17.9%
23.3%±4.8Highest
MA: 17.9%
13.2%±0.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Rowley and Chicopee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
22.9%
MA: 47.3%
57.3%Highest
MA: 47.3%
20.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.7%±0.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
7.4%±5.8
MA: 7.9%
7.5%±0.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
Springfield and Rowley 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
$109,622±$17kHighest
5% above MA
$52,656±$2kLowest
49% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$274,500±$8k
51% below MA
$614,800±$39kHighest
9% above MA
$245,000±$4kLowest
56% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,157±$50
34% below MA
$1,663±$674Highest
6% below MA
$1,144±$55Lowest
35% below MA
Rowley and Chicopee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,847
36% below MA
$6,865Highest
15% above MA
$3,695Lowest
38% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52%±5.6
MA: 51.8%
46.3%±45.1Lowest
MA: 51.8%
57.7%±3.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
Springfield and Chicopee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
17.3%
MA: 10%
6.1%Lowest
MA: 10%
25.8%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
55.7%
MA: 62.5%
78.6%Highest
MA: 62.5%
49.6%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1958Highest
6 yrs older than MA
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1952
12 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 min
27% below MA
25 minHighest
15% below MA
20 minLowest
31% below MA
Work from home
8%±1.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
10.9%±5.6Highest
MA: 18.6%
8.4%±0.9
MA: 18.6%
Rowley and Springfield 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 #214 of 282 in MA #276 of 282 in MA
School district Chicopee — Springfield
High school in town Chicopee Comprehensive High School — Springfield Central High
Students per teacherat that high school
11.2Lowest
—
12.2Highest
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.