Compare towns

Everett vs Holyoke vs Springfield

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%).
Holyoke has the oldest population (median age 40).
Springfield has the most homeowners (49.6%).

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.

MeasureEverettHolyokeSpringfield
People
Population
50,045
37,813Lowest
154,749Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+17.8%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-4.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+1.9%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
35.2±1.5
12% below MA
40±1.6Highest
about the MA average
33.7±0.5Lowest
16% below MA
Kids under 18
21.8%±2.1
MA: 19.4%
21.4%±1.9Lowest
MA: 19.4%
24.2%±0.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
Springfield and Everett 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%
20.1%±1.6Highest
MA: 17.9%
13.2%±0.7
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
24.9%
MA: 47.3%
25.9%Highest
MA: 47.3%
20.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.3%±0.9
MA: 7.9%
3.4%±0.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
7.5%±0.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
Springfield and Everett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$85,218±$7kHighest
18% below MA
$53,605±$3k
48% below MA
$52,656±$2kLowest
49% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$610,000±$23kHighest
9% above MA
$274,100±$8k
51% below MA
$245,000±$4kLowest
56% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,076±$69Highest
18% above MA
$1,021±$60Lowest
42% below MA
$1,144±$55
35% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,880Highest
19% below MA
$4,065
32% below MA
$3,695Lowest
38% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.4%±5.8
MA: 51.8%
51.7%±5.4Lowest
MA: 51.8%
57.7%±3.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
Springfield and Everett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
14.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
27%Highest
MA: 10%
25.8%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
37.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
41.3%
MA: 62.5%
49.6%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1950
14 yrs older than MA
1952Highest
12 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
35 minHighest
20% above MA
19 minLowest
34% below MA
20 min
31% below MA
Work from home
10.5%±2
MA: 18.6%
11.1%±2.5Highest
MA: 18.6%
8.4%±0.9Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Holyoke and Everett 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 #264 of 282 in MA #281 of 282 in MA #276 of 282 in MA
School district Everett Holyoke · Springfield Springfield
High school in town Everett High Holyoke High Springfield Central High
Students per teacherat that high school
12.1Lowest
12.5Highest
12.2
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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.