Compare towns

Harwich vs Maynard vs Chatham

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Harwich has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.8%).
Maynard has the most kids (16.9% under 18).
Chatham has the most expensive homes ($943k median).

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.

MeasureHarwichMaynardChatham
People
Population
13,598Highest
10,712
6,681Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.8%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+7.7%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
58.6±1.5
47% above MA
45.3±4.3Lowest
13% above MA
63.4±2.8Highest
59% above MA
Kids under 18
11.7%±2.5
MA: 19.4%
16.9%±4.3Highest
MA: 19.4%
8.9%±2.9Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Maynard and Harwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
35.8%±3.5
MA: 17.9%
18.2%±3.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
45.5%±5.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
50.6%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
64.2%Highest
MA: 47.3%
60.7%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.4%±1.2Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3.5%±1.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.3%±1.4
MA: 7.9%
Maynard and Chatham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$96,966±$13k
7% below MA
$124,067±$16kHighest
19% above MA
$85,167±$9kLowest
18% below MA
Maynard and Harwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$658,600±$26k
17% above MA
$527,400±$31kLowest
6% below MA
$942,800±$78kHighest
68% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,017±$738Highest
14% above MA
$1,800±$148
about the MA average
$1,485±$209Lowest
16% below MA
Harwich and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,189
30% below MA
$8,266Highest
38% above MA
$4,094Lowest
32% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.7%±24.4
MA: 51.8%
44.9%±9.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
58.7%±21.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
Chatham and Harwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.9%Lowest
MA: 10%
8.3%
MA: 10%
10.8%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.8%
MA: 62.5%
75%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
85.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
12 yrs newer than MA
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
14% below MA
32 minHighest
9% above MA
24 minLowest
18% below MA
Work from home
17.3%±4.4Lowest
MA: 18.6%
22.9%±7.7
MA: 18.6%
25.5%±7.4Highest
MA: 18.6%
Chatham and Maynard 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 #157 of 282 in MA #166 of 282 in MA #130 of 282 in MA
School district Monomoy Regional School District · Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical — Monomoy Regional School District
High school in town Monomoy Regional High School — None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
11.8
— —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 6 photos → 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.