Compare towns
Easthampton vs Thompson vs Northbridge
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Easthampton has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Thompson has the most affordable homes ($292k median).
Northbridge has the most kids (21.1% under 18).
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 | Easthampton | Thompson | Northbridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 16,086 |
9,337Lowest |
16,458Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | +4% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 46±2.6 18% above U.S. |
54.1±2.2Highest 39% above U.S. |
43.8±2.6Lowest 13% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 15.5%±2.4 U.S.: 22% |
11.4%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.1%±2.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 23.9%±3 U.S.: 17.2% |
24.4%±4.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
16.4%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Thompson and Easthampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
21.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
36.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.1%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.9%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±1.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Easthampton and Northbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $71,673±$7kLowest 11% below U.S. |
$93,629±$18k 16% above U.S. |
$111,319±$19kHighest 38% above U.S. |
| Northbridge and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $371,500±$15k 12% above U.S. |
$291,900±$24kLowest 12% below U.S. |
$448,600±$15kHighest 35% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,292±$70Highest 9% below U.S. |
$1,012±$344Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,207±$102 15% below U.S. |
| Easthampton and Northbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,932Highest 58% above U.S. |
$3,822Lowest 23% above U.S. |
$4,821 55% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.5%±10.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
54%±18.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
51.2%±9.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Thompson and Northbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 58.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
70.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1966 14 yrs older than U.S. |
1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1973Highest 7 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 16% below U.S. |
32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
31 min 17% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 19%±3.2Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.1%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.2%±3.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Easthampton and Northbridge 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 | #130 of 149 in CT | #226 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Easthampton | Thompson School District | Northbridge |
| High school in town | Easthampton High | Tourtellotte Memorial High School | Northbridge High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.8 |
7.9Lowest |
10.8Highest |
| 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.