Compare towns

Easthampton vs Hamilton vs Holyoke

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Easthampton has the oldest population (median age 46).
Hamilton has the most expensive homes ($720k median).
Holyoke has the most renters (58.7% 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.

MeasureEasthamptonHamiltonHolyoke
People
Population
16,086
7,600Lowest
37,813Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-2.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-4.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
46±2.6Highest
15% above MA
43.5±2.1
9% above MA
40±1.6Lowest
about the MA average
Easthampton and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.5%±2.4Lowest
MA: 19.4%
24%±3.5Highest
MA: 19.4%
21.4%±1.9
MA: 19.4%
Hamilton and Holyoke are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.9%±3Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±3.8
MA: 17.9%
20.1%±1.6Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Easthampton and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
38%
MA: 47.3%
68.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
25.9%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.1%±1.9
MA: 7.9%
6.7%±1.6Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.4%±0.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Hamilton and Easthampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$71,673±$7k
31% below MA
$129,833±$14kHighest
25% above MA
$53,605±$3kLowest
48% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$371,500±$15k
34% below MA
$720,000±$36kHighest
28% above MA
$274,100±$8kLowest
51% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,292±$70
27% below MA
$1,794±$394Highest
about the MA average
$1,021±$60Lowest
42% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,932
18% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$4,065Lowest
32% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.5%±10.7Lowest
MA: 51.8%
65.8%±23.6Highest
MA: 51.8%
51.7%±5.4
MA: 51.8%
Hamilton and Holyoke are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8%
MA: 10%
7.8%Lowest
MA: 10%
27%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
58.4%
MA: 62.5%
84.7%Highest
MA: 62.5%
41.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1966Highest
2 yrs newer than MA
1958
6 yrs older than MA
1950Lowest
14 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 min
23% below MA
32 minHighest
11% above MA
19 minLowest
34% below MA
Work from home
19%±3.2
MA: 18.6%
26.3%±5.1Highest
MA: 18.6%
11.1%±2.5Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Hamilton and Easthampton 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 #92 of 282 in MA #36 of 282 in MA #281 of 282 in MA
School district Easthampton Hamilton-Wenham Holyoke · Springfield
High school in town Easthampton High Hamilton-Wenham Regional High Holyoke High
Students per teacherat that high school
9.8Lowest
11.8
12.5Highest
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.