Compare towns

Colrain vs Maynard vs Otis

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Colrain has the most affordable homes ($284k median).
Maynard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.3%).
Otis has the most homeowners (89.7%).

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.

MeasureColrainMaynardOtis
People
Population
1,627
10,712Highest
1,624Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+1.4%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
49.6±8.7
24% above MA
45.3±4.3Lowest
13% above MA
51±3.2Highest
28% above MA
Otis and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.3%±4.2
MA: 19.4%
16.9%±4.3Highest
MA: 19.4%
15.1%±4.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Maynard and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
30.4%±4.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
18.2%±3.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
28%±3.1
MA: 17.9%
Colrain and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
64.2%Highest
MA: 47.3%
39.2%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±1.1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3.5%±1.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.9%±2.1
MA: 7.9%
Maynard and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$80,673±$10kLowest
22% below MA
$124,067±$16kHighest
19% above MA
$108,898±$6k
5% above MA
Maynard and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$284,300±$14kLowest
49% below MA
$527,400±$31kHighest
6% below MA
$396,700±$40k
29% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,102±$77Lowest
37% below MA
$1,800±$148Highest
about the MA average
$1,318±$924
25% below MA
Maynard and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,317
28% below MA
$8,266Highest
38% above MA
$2,408Lowest
60% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46%±22.8
MA: 51.8%
44.9%±9.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
63.3%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
Otis and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.2%
MA: 10%
8.3%Highest
MA: 10%
1.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.5%
MA: 62.5%
75%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
89.7%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
15% above MA
32 minLowest
9% above MA
34 minHighest
15% above MA
Work from home
8.4%±2.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
22.9%±7.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
22.3%±7.7
MA: 18.6%
Maynard and Otis 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 — #166 of 282 in MA —
School district Mohawk Trail Maynard Farmington River Reg
High school in town None in town Maynard High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.7
—
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.