Compare towns
Hamilton vs Reading vs Reading vs Groton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hamilton has the most affordable homes ($720k median).
Groton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.3%).
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 | Hamilton | Reading | Reading | Groton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 7,600Lowest |
25,612Highest |
25,612Highest |
11,390 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+3.1% MA: +7.4% |
+3.1% MA: +7.4% |
+6.3%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.5±2.1 9% above MA |
43.7±2.3Highest 9% above MA |
43.7±2.3Highest 9% above MA |
41.4±2.7Lowest 4% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 24%±3.5 MA: 19.4% |
22.8%±2.2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
22.8%±2.2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
28.3%±4.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Groton and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±3.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
20.7%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
20.7%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
17.3%±2.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Hamilton and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 68.8% MA: 47.3% |
66.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
66.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
70.1%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.7%±1.6Highest MA: 7.9% |
2.9%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
2.9%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1.9 MA: 7.9% |
| Hamilton and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $129,833±$14kLowest 25% above MA |
$165,912±$13k 60% above MA |
$165,912±$13k 60% above MA |
$192,958±$27kHighest 86% above MA |
| Groton and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $720,000±$36kLowest 28% above MA |
$809,000±$22kHighest 44% above MA |
$809,000±$22kHighest 44% above MA |
$743,400±$46k 32% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,794±$394 about the MA average |
$1,991±$273Highest 13% above MA |
$1,991±$273Highest 13% above MA |
$1,458±$335Lowest 17% below MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$9,320Lowest 56% above MA |
$9,320Lowest 56% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 65.8%±23.6Highest MA: 51.8% |
27.8%±9.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
27.8%±9.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
43.8%±17 MA: 51.8% |
| Hamilton and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.8%Highest MA: 10% |
3.2%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.2%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.8% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% MA: 62.5% |
82.4%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
82.4%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
88.8%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1958Lowest 6 yrs older than MA |
1960 4 yrs older than MA |
1960 4 yrs older than MA |
1988Highest 24 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 11% above MA |
31 minLowest 6% above MA |
31 minLowest 6% above MA |
32 minHighest 11% above MA |
| Work from home | 26.3%±5.1Lowest MA: 18.6% |
30.2%±4.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
30.2%±4.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
27.5%±5.8 MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #36 of 282 in MA | #50 of 282 in MA | #50 of 282 in MA | #39 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Hamilton-Wenham | — | Reading | Groton-Dunstable |
| High school in town | Hamilton-Wenham Regional High | — | Reading Memorial High | Groton Dunstable Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.8Lowest |
— | 12.1 |
13.7Highest |
| 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.