Compare towns
Halifax vs Reading vs Reading vs Southampton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Halifax has the most homeowners (95.5%).
Southampton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.5%).
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 | Halifax | Reading | Reading | Southampton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 7,748 |
25,612Highest |
25,612Highest |
6,230Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.1%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+3.1%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+3.1%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+7.5%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.9±4.7Lowest 5% above MA |
43.7±2.3Highest 9% above MA |
43.7±2.3Highest 9% above MA |
43.4±3.5 9% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 22.2%±5.9 MA: 19.4% |
22.8%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
22.8%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
19.1%±4Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 18.8%±3.6Lowest MA: 17.9% |
20.7%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
20.7%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±4.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Southampton and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
66.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
66.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
41.1% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±1.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
2.9%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
2.9%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.7%±2.2 MA: 7.9% |
| Halifax and Southampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $118,556±$11kLowest 14% above MA |
$165,912±$13kHighest 60% above MA |
$165,912±$13kHighest 60% above MA |
$123,125±$23k 18% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $481,500±$51k 14% below MA |
$809,000±$22kHighest 44% above MA |
$809,000±$22kHighest 44% above MA |
$452,300±$25kLowest 20% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,804±$375Lowest about the MA average |
$1,991±$273Highest 13% above MA |
$1,991±$273Highest 13% above MA |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,840 14% above MA |
$9,320Highest 56% above MA |
$9,320Highest 56% above MA |
$5,470Lowest 9% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.6%±37.4Highest MA: 51.8% |
27.8%±9.1 MA: 51.8% |
27.8%±9.1 MA: 51.8% |
26.2%±18.4Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Halifax and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.6%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.2%Highest MA: 10% |
3.2%Highest MA: 10% |
2.6%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.5%Highest MA: 62.5% |
82.4%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
82.4%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
90.7% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 15 yrs newer than MA |
1960Lowest 4 yrs older than MA |
1960Lowest 4 yrs older than MA |
1983Highest 19 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 22% above MA |
31 min 6% above MA |
31 min 6% above MA |
22 minLowest 23% below MA |
| Work from home | 13.9%±5.3 MA: 18.6% |
30.2%±4.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
30.2%±4.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
8.2%±3.6Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #120 of 282 in MA | #50 of 282 in MA | #50 of 282 in MA | #205 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Halifax | — | Reading | Southampton |
| High school in town | None in town | — | Reading Memorial High | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 12.1 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.