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 the most renters (45.3% rent).
Hampton has the most affordable homes ($296k median).
Sterling has the most expensive homes ($499k median).

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.

MeasureClintonHamptonSterling
People
Population
15,563Highest
1,647Lowest
8,183
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+13.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
—
+2.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
38.6±2.7Lowest
about the U.S. average
51.5±5.3Highest
32% above U.S.
51.5±1.8Highest
32% above U.S.
Kids under 18
17.8%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
19.7%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.6%±4.1
U.S.: 22%
Hampton and Sterling 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%
26.1%±2.1Highest
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%
U.S.: 35.7%
29.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
48.3%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.9%±1.1Lowest
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.
$109,167±$19k
35% above U.S.
$129,063±$27kHighest
60% above U.S.
Sterling and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$387,300±$19k
16% above U.S.
$295,800±$27kLowest
11% below U.S.
$498,800±$48kHighest
50% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,402±$76
about the U.S. average
$1,285±$288Lowest
9% below U.S.
$1,699±$161Highest
20% above U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,654
49% above U.S.
$4,364Lowest
40% above U.S.
$6,757Highest
117% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
40.3%±6.4Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
52.5%±51.5Highest
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%
5.7%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
54.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
90%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
86.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1956Lowest
24 yrs older than U.S.
1980Highest
same as U.S.
1980Highest
same as U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
13% above U.S.
29 minLowest
10% above U.S.
34 minHighest
30% above U.S.
Work from home
14.2%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
17.7%±5.1
U.S.: 15.1%
18.3%±6.2Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Sterling and Hampton 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 — #135 of 282 in MA
School district Clinton Hampton School District Wachusett
High school in town Clinton Senior High None in town 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.