Compare towns
Clinton vs Springfield vs Lancaster vs Sterling
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Clinton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13.4%).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Lancaster has the most people working from home (33.6%).
Sterling has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
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 | Springfield | Lancaster | Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 15,563 |
154,749Highest |
8,606 |
8,183Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +13.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+1.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+4.8% MA: +7.4% |
+2.3% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 38.6±2.7 4% below MA |
33.7±0.5Lowest 16% below MA |
43.1±4.9 8% above MA |
51.5±1.8Highest 29% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 17.8%±2.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
24.2%±0.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
19.2%±4 MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±4.1 MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 14.5%±2.8 MA: 17.9% |
13.2%±0.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
19.9%±4.2 MA: 17.9% |
22.9%±4Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Sterling and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.6% MA: 47.3% |
20.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
50.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
48.3% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.9%±2 MA: 7.9% |
7.5%±0.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
3%±1.8Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.8%±1.8 MA: 7.9% |
| Springfield and Clinton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $89,781±$10k 14% below MA |
$52,656±$2kLowest 49% below MA |
$134,833±$27kHighest 30% above MA |
$129,063±$27k 24% above MA |
| Lancaster and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $387,300±$19k 31% below MA |
$245,000±$4kLowest 56% below MA |
$519,100±$60kHighest 8% below MA |
$498,800±$48k 11% below MA |
| Lancaster and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,402±$76 20% below MA |
$1,144±$55Lowest 35% below MA |
$2,338±$539Highest 33% above MA |
$1,699±$161 4% below MA |
| Lancaster and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,654 22% below MA |
$3,695Lowest 38% below MA |
$7,235Highest 21% above MA |
$6,757 13% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40.3%±6.4Lowest MA: 51.8% |
57.7%±3.1 MA: 51.8% |
68.3%±36.7Highest MA: 51.8% |
46%±23.1 MA: 51.8% |
| Lancaster and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.6% MA: 10% |
25.8%Highest MA: 10% |
1.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
6% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 54.7% MA: 62.5% |
49.6%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
85.1% MA: 62.5% |
86.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1956 8 yrs older than MA |
1952Lowest 12 yrs older than MA |
1971 7 yrs newer than MA |
1980Highest 16 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min about the MA average |
20 minLowest 31% below MA |
32 min 9% above MA |
34 minHighest 18% above MA |
| Work from home | 14.2%±4.2 MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±0.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
33.6%±9.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
18.3%±6.2 MA: 18.6% |
| Lancaster 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 | #276 of 282 in MA | #145 of 282 in MA | #135 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Clinton | Springfield | Nashoba | Wachusett |
| High school in town | Clinton Senior High | Springfield Central High | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8Highest |
12.2Lowest |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.