Compare towns

Everett vs Fall River vs Townsend

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Everett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+17.8%).
Fall River has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Townsend has the most homeowners (82%).

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.

MeasureEverettFall RiverTownsend
People
Population
50,045
94,082Highest
9,100Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+17.8%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+5.8%
MA: +7.4%
+2.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
35.2±1.5Lowest
12% below MA
39.3±1.2
about the MA average
40.9±3.3Highest
about the MA average
Townsend and Fall River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.8%±2.1Highest
MA: 19.4%
19.9%±1.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
21%±3.2
MA: 19.4%
Everett and Townsend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
11.3%±1.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
16.1%±0.9
MA: 17.9%
17.1%±2.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
Townsend and Fall River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
24.9%
MA: 47.3%
16.4%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
35.5%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.3%±0.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.1%±0.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.1%±2.4
MA: 7.9%
Everett and Townsend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$85,218±$7k
18% below MA
$56,673±$3kLowest
45% below MA
$121,528±$23kHighest
17% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$610,000±$23kHighest
9% above MA
$395,500±$11kLowest
30% below MA
$433,200±$22k
23% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,076±$69Highest
18% above MA
$1,155±$27Lowest
34% below MA
$1,469±$313
17% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,880
19% below MA
$3,953Lowest
34% below MA
$6,031Highest
about the MA average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.4%±5.8Highest
MA: 51.8%
52.5%±3.3
MA: 51.8%
50.6%±16.8Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Everett and Fall River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
14.7%
MA: 10%
19.6%Highest
MA: 10%
8.9%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
37.2%
MA: 62.5%
35.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
82%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1945
19 yrs older than MA
1976Highest
12 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
35 min
20% above MA
26 minLowest
11% below MA
37 minHighest
27% above MA
Work from home
10.5%±2Highest
MA: 18.6%
7.1%±1.2Lowest
MA: 18.6%
10.5%±2.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #264 of 282 in MA #262 of 282 in MA #136 of 282 in MA
School district Everett Fall River · Greater Fall River Regional Vocational Technical North Middlesex
High school in town Everett High B M C Durfee High North Middlesex Regional
Students per teacherat that high school
12.1
11.3Lowest
13.1Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

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.