Compare towns

Dudley vs Lynn vs Springfield vs Webster

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dudley has the most homeowners (73.1%).
Lynn has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.1%).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Webster has the most renters (54.5% 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.

MeasureDudleyLynnSpringfieldWebster
People
Population
11,929Lowest
101,709
154,749Highest
12,228
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.7%
MA: +7.4%
+12.1%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+1.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6.9%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
40.2±2.4Highest
about the MA average
36.5±1.2
9% below MA
33.7±0.5Lowest
16% below MA
37.2±2.1
7% below MA
Dudley and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.6%±3.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
24.1%±1.4
MA: 19.4%
24.2%±0.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
21.8%±3.6
MA: 19.4%
Springfield and Lynn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16.9%±3Highest
MA: 17.9%
13.7%±0.9
MA: 17.9%
13.2%±0.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
15.7%±2.5
MA: 17.9%
Dudley and Webster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
24.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
24.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
20.5%
MA: 47.3%
18.8%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
13.1%±2Highest
MA: 7.9%
5.4%±0.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
7.5%±0.5
MA: 7.9%
6%±1.8
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$84,604±$12kHighest
19% below MA
$75,043±$3k
28% below MA
$52,656±$2kLowest
49% below MA
$63,837±$8k
39% below MA
Dudley and Lynn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$392,600±$19k
30% below MA
$510,100±$23kHighest
9% below MA
$245,000±$4kLowest
56% below MA
$333,100±$14k
41% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,217±$182
31% below MA
$1,722±$60Highest
about the MA average
$1,144±$55Lowest
35% below MA
$1,198±$85
32% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,691
38% below MA
$5,384Highest
10% below MA
$3,695
38% below MA
$3,234Lowest
46% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47.4%±4.1
MA: 51.8%
60%±4.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
57.7%±3.1
MA: 51.8%
46.1%±7.4Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Lynn and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
13.8%
MA: 10%
25.8%Highest
MA: 10%
16%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.1%Highest
MA: 62.5%
48.1%
MA: 62.5%
49.6%
MA: 62.5%
45.5%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967Highest
3 yrs newer than MA
1946Lowest
18 yrs older than MA
1952
12 yrs older than MA
1954
10 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
6% below MA
32 minHighest
8% above MA
20 minLowest
31% below MA
28 min
5% below MA
Work from home
9.1%±2.5Highest
MA: 18.6%
7.9%±1
MA: 18.6%
8.4%±0.9
MA: 18.6%
7.1%±2.9Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Dudley and Springfield 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 #142 of 282 in MA #277 of 282 in MA #276 of 282 in MA #271 of 282 in MA
School district Dudley-Charlton Reg Lynn Springfield —
High school in town Shepherd Hill Regional High Lynn English High Springfield Central High —
Students per teacherat that high school
14.3
15.0Highest
12.2Lowest
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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.