Compare towns
Durham vs Springfield vs China
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Durham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.4%).
Springfield has the oldest population (median age 51.4).
China has the most affordable homes ($240k 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.
| Measure | Durham | Springfield | China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,262 |
1,122Lowest |
4,526Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+1.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.6±5.9 10% above U.S. |
51.4±8.8Highest 32% above U.S. |
40.9±5.9Lowest 5% above U.S. |
| Springfield and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.7%±4.6 U.S.: 22% |
15.1%±8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
20.4%±5.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
| China and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 16.6%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.8%±1.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.4%±4.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| China and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
36.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
31.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±3.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
0%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.6%±1.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Durham and China are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $99,181±$5k 23% above U.S. |
$100,893±$19kHighest 25% above U.S. |
$96,309±$12kLowest 19% above U.S. |
| Springfield and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $322,200±$34k 3% below U.S. |
$384,100±$50kHighest 15% above U.S. |
$240,000±$37kLowest 28% below U.S. |
| Springfield and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,096±$217 22% below U.S. |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,781 21% above U.S. |
$5,946Highest 91% above U.S. |
$2,535Lowest 19% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 25%±40.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
25.9%±64.8Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
10.6%±25.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Springfield and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
91.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1985 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
1981Lowest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 6% above U.S. |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
30 min 13% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 20.9%±5.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.7%±11.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
12.6%±4.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Durham 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 | #14 of 133 in ME | — | #27 of 133 in ME |
| School district | RSU 05 | — | RSU 18 |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| 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.