Compare towns

Chicopee vs Springfield vs Stoneham

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Springfield has the youngest population (median age 33.7).
Stoneham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.4%).

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.

MeasureChicopeeSpringfieldStoneham
People
Population
55,295
154,749Highest
23,355Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.5%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+1.9%
MA: +7.4%
+8.4%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
41.9±1.4
5% above MA
33.7±0.5Lowest
16% below MA
42.2±2.2Highest
6% above MA
Stoneham and Chicopee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.2%±1.7Lowest
MA: 19.4%
24.2%±0.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
20.8%±2.5
MA: 19.4%
Springfield and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.5%±1.4
MA: 17.9%
13.2%±0.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
20.4%±2.2Highest
MA: 17.9%
Stoneham 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%
20.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
55.9%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.7%±0.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
7.5%±0.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.7%±1.4
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$62,615±$6k
40% below MA
$52,656±$2kLowest
49% below MA
$113,964±$10kHighest
10% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$274,500±$8k
51% below MA
$245,000±$4kLowest
56% below MA
$671,900±$26kHighest
20% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,157±$50
34% below MA
$1,144±$55Lowest
35% below MA
$2,035±$142Highest
15% above MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,847
36% below MA
$3,695Lowest
38% below MA
$6,523Highest
9% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52%±5.6
MA: 51.8%
57.7%±3.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
41.9%±8.2Lowest
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%
25.8%Highest
MA: 10%
5.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
55.7%
MA: 62.5%
49.6%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
71%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1958
6 yrs older than MA
1952Lowest
12 yrs older than MA
1964Highest
same as MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 min
27% below MA
20 minLowest
31% below MA
28 minHighest
4% below MA
Work from home
8%±1.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
8.4%±0.9
MA: 18.6%
24.6%±3.6Highest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #247 of 282 in MA #276 of 282 in MA #117 of 282 in MA
School district Chicopee Springfield Stoneham
High school in town Chicopee Comprehensive High School Springfield Central High Stoneham High
Students per teacherat that high school
11.2
12.2Highest
10.7Lowest
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.