Compare towns

Halifax vs Montgomery vs Colrain

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Montgomery has the most expensive homes ($323k median).
Colrain has the highest household income ($81k).

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.

MeasureHalifaxMontgomeryColrain
People
Population
847Lowest
1,047
1,627Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
40.6±13.1Lowest
4% above U.S.
51.5±11.3Highest
32% above U.S.
49.6±8.7
28% above U.S.
Montgomery and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
25.4%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.5%±4.4
U.S.: 22%
15.3%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
22.6%±7.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
33.9%±8.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
30.4%±4.1
U.S.: 17.2%
Montgomery and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
44.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
52.8%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
37.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.2%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±3.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±1.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$63,889±$7k
21% below U.S.
$53,289±$24kLowest
34% below U.S.
$80,673±$10kHighest
about the U.S. average
Colrain and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$267,500±$21kLowest
20% below U.S.
$323,200±$45kHighest
about the U.S. average
$284,300±$14k
15% below U.S.
Montgomery and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$875±$154
38% below U.S.
$868±$209Lowest
39% below U.S.
$1,102±$77Highest
22% below U.S.
Colrain and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,991Highest
60% above U.S.
$4,326
39% above U.S.
$4,317Lowest
38% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.1%±73.8
U.S.: 51.1%
76.6%±68Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
46%±22.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Montgomery and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
15.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
86.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968
12 yrs older than U.S.
1980Highest
same as U.S.
1963Lowest
17 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minLowest
23% above U.S.
37 minHighest
41% above U.S.
34 min
27% above U.S.
Work from home
29.9%±11.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
16%±5.9
U.S.: 15.1%
8.4%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Halifax and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Halifax School District Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 Mohawk Trail
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
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.