Compare towns

Florida vs Orange vs Monroe

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Florida has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Orange has the most kids (22.2% under 18).
Monroe has the most affordable homes ($165k 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.

MeasureFloridaOrangeMonroe
People
Population
668
7,573Highest
122Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-7.7%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
-3.4%Highest
MA: +7.4%
—
Median age
56.1±4.4
40% above MA
41.8±2.2Lowest
4% above MA
60.2±9.9Highest
51% above MA
Monroe and Florida are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.5%±3.1Lowest
MA: 19.4%
22.2%±3.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
16.4%±28
MA: 19.4%
Orange and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
30.1%±4.6
MA: 17.9%
20.3%±3.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
31.1%±27.3Highest
MA: 17.9%
Monroe and Florida are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
24.3%Highest
MA: 47.3%
15.7%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
19.8%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±2.6
MA: 7.9%
2%±0.9Lowest
MA: 7.9%
9%±18.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
Monroe and Florida are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$86,875±$17kHighest
16% below MA
$55,824±$10kLowest
46% below MA
—
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$246,800±$19kHighest
56% below MA
$245,900±$18k
56% below MA
$165,000±$141kLowest
71% below MA
Florida and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$867±$256Highest
51% below MA
$775±$233Lowest
56% below MA
—
Florida and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$1,894Lowest
68% below MA
$4,136Highest
31% below MA
$2,053
66% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
16.7%±100
MA: 51.8%
41%±11.9Highest
MA: 51.8%
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Orange and Florida are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.8%Lowest
MA: 10%
22.4%
MA: 10%
38.5%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.3%Highest
MA: 62.5%
70%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
75.9%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978Highest
14 yrs newer than MA
1966
2 yrs newer than MA
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
10% below MA
33 min
13% above MA
56 minHighest
93% above MA
Work from home
6.4%±2.6
MA: 18.6%
6.6%±2.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
0%±41.2Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Orange and Florida 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 — #275 of 282 in MA —
School district Florida Orange · Ralph C Mahar —
High school in town None in town Ralph C Mahar Regional —
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.0
—
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.