Compare towns
Hamilton vs Salem 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 oldest population (median age 43.5).
Salem has the most renters (50.3% rent).
Groton has the highest household income ($193k).
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 | Salem | Groton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 7,600Lowest |
44,795Highest |
11,390 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+7.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+6.3% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.5±2.1Highest 9% above MA |
39.3±1.5Lowest about the MA average |
41.4±2.7 4% above MA |
| Hamilton and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 24%±3.5 MA: 19.4% |
15.7%±1.7Lowest 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% |
17.2%±1.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
17.3%±2.8 MA: 17.9% |
| Hamilton and Groton 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% |
47.8%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
70.1%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.7%±1.6 MA: 7.9% |
8.2%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Salem and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $129,833±$14k 25% above MA |
$85,153±$5kLowest 18% below MA |
$192,958±$27kHighest 86% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $720,000±$36k 28% above MA |
$542,800±$18kLowest 3% below MA |
$743,400±$46kHighest 32% above MA |
| Groton and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,794±$394 about the MA average |
$1,836±$84Highest 4% above MA |
$1,458±$335Lowest 17% below MA |
| Salem and Hamilton 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 67% above MA |
$6,114Lowest about the MA average |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 65.8%±23.6Highest MA: 51.8% |
54.9%±4.8 MA: 51.8% |
43.8%±17Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Hamilton and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.8% MA: 10% |
12.1%Highest MA: 10% |
3.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% MA: 62.5% |
49.7%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
88.8%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1958 6 yrs older than MA |
1938Lowest 26 yrs older than MA |
1988Highest 24 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 11% above MA |
29 minLowest about the MA average |
32 minHighest 11% above MA |
| Work from home | 26.3%±5.1 MA: 18.6% |
21.6%±2.5Lowest MA: 18.6% |
27.5%±5.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Groton and Hamilton 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 | #36 of 282 in MA | #248 of 282 in MA | #39 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Hamilton-Wenham | Salem | Groton-Dunstable |
| High school in town | Hamilton-Wenham Regional High | Salem High | Groton Dunstable Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.8 |
9.8Lowest |
13.7Highest |
| 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.