Compare towns
Groton vs Brookline vs Pepperell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Groton has the most expensive homes ($743k median).
Brookline has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13%).
Pepperell has the most affordable homes ($482k 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.
| Measure | Groton | Brookline | Pepperell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 11,390 |
5,736Lowest |
11,663Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+13%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+0.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.4±2.7 6% above U.S. |
41.2±1.5Lowest 6% above U.S. |
42.4±3.3Highest 9% above U.S. |
| Pepperell and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 28.3%±4.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
26.7%±4 U.S.: 22% |
20.1%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Groton and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.3%±2.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
11.4%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.2%±2.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Pepperell and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 70.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
57.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
43.8%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.6%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.3%±3.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.7%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Brookline and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $192,958±$27kHighest 139% above U.S. |
$171,046±$4k 112% above U.S. |
$124,073±$12kLowest 54% above U.S. |
| Groton and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $743,400±$46kHighest 123% above U.S. |
$544,400±$38k 64% above U.S. |
$482,100±$14kLowest 45% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,458±$335 3% above U.S. |
$2,500±$1kHighest 77% above U.S. |
$1,295±$238Lowest 8% below U.S. |
| Brookline and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$6,698Lowest 115% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 43.8%±17 U.S.: 51.1% |
23.8%±43.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
45.1%±16.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Pepperell and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
0.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
95.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1993Highest 13 yrs newer than U.S. |
1981Lowest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minLowest 22% above U.S. |
33 min 26% above U.S. |
34 minHighest 28% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 27.5%±5.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
24.7%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
18.1%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Groton and Brookline 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 | #39 of 282 in MA | #23 of 120 in NH | #153 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Groton-Dunstable | Brookline School District | North Middlesex |
| High school in town | Groton Dunstable Regional | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.7 |
— | — |
| 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.