Compare towns
Clinton vs Hampton vs Sterling
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Clinton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13.4%).
Hampton has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Sterling has the highest household income ($129k).
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.
| Measure | Clinton | Hampton | Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 15,563Highest |
10,101 |
8,183Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +13.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 38.6±2.7Lowest about the U.S. average |
51.2±1.7 32% above U.S. |
51.5±1.8Highest 32% above U.S. |
| Sterling and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17.8%±2.5 U.S.: 22% |
14.6%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±4.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Sterling and Clinton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 14.5%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.9%±3.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.9%±4 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Hampton and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
44.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
48.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.9%±2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.4%±1.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Clinton and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $89,781±$10kLowest 11% above U.S. |
$97,163±$4k 20% above U.S. |
$129,063±$27kHighest 60% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $387,300±$19kLowest 16% above U.S. |
$545,300±$63kHighest 64% above U.S. |
$498,800±$48k 50% above U.S. |
| Hampton and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,402±$76Lowest about the U.S. average |
$1,654±$93 17% above U.S. |
$1,699±$161Highest 20% above U.S. |
| Sterling and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,654Lowest 49% above U.S. |
$6,872Highest 120% above U.S. |
$6,757 117% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40.3%±6.4Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
48.9%±13.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
46%±23.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hampton and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 54.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
74.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
86.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1956Lowest 24 yrs older than U.S. |
1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 13% above U.S. |
26 minLowest about the U.S. average |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 14.2%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
20.5%±3.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.3%±6.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Hampton and Sterling 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 | #246 of 282 in MA | #31 of 120 in NH | #135 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Clinton | — | Wachusett |
| High school in town | Clinton Senior High | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8 |
— | — |
| 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.