Compare towns

Epping vs Acton vs Epsom

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Epping has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Acton has the most expensive homes ($807k median).
Epsom has the most affordable homes ($338k 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.

MeasureEppingActonEpsom
People
Population
7,430
24,155Highest
4,939Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+11.1%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+9.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.1±3.5
16% above U.S.
44.5±0.8Lowest
14% above U.S.
47.1±3.4Highest
21% above U.S.
Epsom and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.7%±4.8
U.S.: 22%
23.2%±2.5Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.2%±4.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Acton and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.6%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.6%±1.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.7%±3.3
U.S.: 17.2%
Epping and Epsom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
79.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
40.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±3.3
U.S.: 6.4%
4.9%±1.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Epsom and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$104,220±$7k
29% above U.S.
$158,230±$14kHighest
96% above U.S.
$97,941±$13kLowest
21% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$436,900±$35k
31% above U.S.
$807,300±$20kHighest
143% above U.S.
$338,400±$19kLowest
about the U.S. average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,742±$576
23% above U.S.
$1,986±$155Highest
41% above U.S.
$1,212±$437Lowest
14% below U.S.
Acton and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,936
122% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$6,210Lowest
99% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
67.8%±25.9
U.S.: 51.1%
47.7%±11.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
71.2%±19.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Epsom and Epping are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
74.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
87.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1989Highest
9 yrs newer than U.S.
1974Lowest
6 yrs older than U.S.
1986
6 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
22% above U.S.
35 minHighest
31% above U.S.
31 minLowest
17% above U.S.
Work from home
24%±6.9
U.S.: 15.1%
35.9%±4.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.1%±4.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #77 of 120 in NH #13 of 282 in MA #69 of 120 in NH
School district Epping School District Acton-Boxborough Epsom School District
High school in town Epping High School Acton-Boxborough Regional High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.3Lowest
13.5Highest
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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.