Compare towns

Deerfield vs Washington vs Lee

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Deerfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.7%).
Washington has the most homeowners (92.5%).
Lee has the most renters (28.9% rent).

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.

MeasureDeerfieldWashingtonLee
People
Population
5,158
526Lowest
5,719Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.7%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-8.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
-2.6%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
51.8±3.6Lowest
30% above MA
56.5±7.7Highest
41% above MA
55.2±5.8
38% above MA
Washington and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.2%±3.7
MA: 19.4%
13.3%±5.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
12.6%±5Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Washington and Deerfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.9%±4.2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
35.4%±1.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
33.4%±6.1
MA: 17.9%
Washington and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
44.4%Highest
MA: 47.3%
32.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
44.1%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.9%±3.4Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.3%±1.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5%±2.1
MA: 7.9%
Deerfield and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$106,136±$14kHighest
about the MA average
$95,278±$12k
8% below MA
$83,750±$13kLowest
19% below MA
Deerfield and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$414,900±$37kHighest
26% below MA
$370,700±$32k
34% below MA
$352,700±$19kLowest
37% below MA
Deerfield and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,334±$318Lowest
24% below MA
—
$1,375±$212Highest
22% below MA
Lee and Deerfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,824Highest
about the MA average
$4,381
27% below MA
$3,980Lowest
34% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.1%±15.1
MA: 51.8%
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
57.3%±21.2Highest
MA: 51.8%
Lee and Deerfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.8%Highest
MA: 10%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
7.2%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
78.4%
MA: 62.5%
92.5%Highest
MA: 62.5%
71.1%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
8 yrs newer than MA
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
1959Lowest
5 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
18 minLowest
40% below MA
25 minHighest
13% below MA
18 min
38% below MA
Work from home
17.5%±6.2Highest
MA: 18.6%
12.9%±10.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
16.4%±7.8
MA: 18.6%
Deerfield and Lee 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 #156 of 282 in MA — #209 of 282 in MA
School district Deerfield · Frontier — Lee
High school in town Frontier Regional — Lee Middle/High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1Highest
—
9.2Lowest
On TownTapestry
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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.