Compare towns

Chilmark vs Sturbridge vs West Tisbury

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Chilmark has the most expensive homes ($1895k median).
Sturbridge has the most affordable homes ($426k median).
West Tisbury has the shortest commute (17 min average).

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.

MeasureChilmarkSturbridgeWest Tisbury
People
Population
1,578Lowest
9,960Highest
3,080
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+40%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6.5%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+29.7%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
53.6±8.1
34% above MA
47.2±2.6Lowest
18% above MA
54.8±5.4Highest
37% above MA
West Tisbury and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.7%±4.3
MA: 19.4%
20.7%±3Highest
MA: 19.4%
14.9%±6.7Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Sturbridge and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
36.2%±12.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
19.8%±3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
30.2%±7.5
MA: 17.9%
Chilmark and West Tisbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
68.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
49.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
58.5%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±2.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.6%±1.5
MA: 7.9%
6.8%±4.4Highest
MA: 7.9%
West Tisbury and Sturbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$168,750±$28k
62% above MA
$136,759±$15kLowest
32% above MA
$182,750±$73kHighest
76% above MA
West Tisbury and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,895,300±$281kHighest
237% above MA
$425,800±$18kLowest
24% below MA
$1,302,100±$187k
132% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,750±$2kHighest
56% above MA
$1,193±$398Lowest
32% below MA
$2,350±$519
33% above MA
Chilmark and West Tisbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,485Lowest
25% below MA
$6,520Highest
9% above MA
$6,497
8% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.8%±59.9
MA: 51.8%
42%±17.7Highest
MA: 51.8%
26%±43.2Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Sturbridge and Chilmark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.1%Highest
MA: 10%
3.7%
MA: 10%
3.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.4%
MA: 62.5%
86.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
92.1%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984
20 yrs newer than MA
1982Lowest
18 yrs newer than MA
1985Highest
21 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
8% above MA
38 minHighest
30% above MA
17 minLowest
43% below MA
Work from home
25.7%±11
MA: 18.6%
19.8%±4.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
32.3%±20.9Highest
MA: 18.6%
West Tisbury and Chilmark 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 — #89 of 282 in MA #181 of 282 in MA
School district Up-Island Regional Sturbridge · Tantasqua Up-Island Regional
High school in town None in town Tantasqua Regional Sr High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
7.7
—
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.