Compare towns
Hamilton vs Suffield vs Topsfield vs Groton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hamilton has the most renters (15.3% rent).
Suffield has the most affordable homes ($408k median).
Topsfield has the most expensive homes ($853k median).
Groton has the most kids (28.3% under 18).
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 | Suffield | Topsfield | Groton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 7,600 |
15,702Highest |
6,564Lowest |
11,390 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
— | +8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+6.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.5±2.1 12% above U.S. |
44.5±1.7Highest 14% above U.S. |
42.2±1.8 8% above U.S. |
41.4±2.7Lowest 6% above U.S. |
| Suffield and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 24%±3.5 U.S.: 22% |
16.2%±2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24.8%±4.7 U.S.: 22% |
28.3%±4.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Groton and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±3.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.4%±2.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
22.4%±3.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.3%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Topsfield and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 68.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
40.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
71.8%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
70.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.7%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±1.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.8%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.6%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
| 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±$14k 61% above U.S. |
$119,472±$13kLowest 48% above U.S. |
$195,718±$16kHighest 142% above U.S. |
$192,958±$27k 139% above U.S. |
| Topsfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $720,000±$36k 116% above U.S. |
$407,500±$26kLowest 22% above U.S. |
$853,400±$40kHighest 157% above U.S. |
$743,400±$46k 123% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,794±$394Highest 27% above U.S. |
$1,424±$141 about the U.S. average |
$1,115±$538Lowest 21% below U.S. |
$1,458±$335 3% above U.S. |
| Hamilton 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. |
$6,456Lowest 107% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 65.8%±23.6Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
51%±4.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
41.9%±40.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
43.8%±17 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hamilton and Suffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
7.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
90.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1958Lowest 22 yrs older than U.S. |
1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1969 11 yrs older than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 22% above U.S. |
26 minLowest 3% below U.S. |
28 min 4% above U.S. |
32 minHighest 22% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 26.3%±5.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
18.4%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
29.4%±8.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
27.5%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Topsfield and Groton 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 | #57 of 149 in CT | #172 of 282 in MA | #39 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Hamilton-Wenham | Suffield School District | Topsfield | Groton-Dunstable |
| High school in town | Hamilton-Wenham Regional High | Suffield High School | None in town | Groton Dunstable Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.8 |
10.9Lowest |
— | 13.7Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.