Compare towns
Hatfield vs Lynn vs Springfield vs Hadley
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hatfield has the oldest population (median age 46.8).
Lynn has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.1%).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Hadley has the highest household income ($119k).
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 | Hatfield | Lynn | Springfield | Hadley |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,325Lowest |
101,709 |
154,749Highest |
5,306 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.2% MA: +7.4% |
+12.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+1.9% MA: +7.4% |
+1.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 46.8±5Highest 17% above MA |
36.5±1.2 9% below MA |
33.7±0.5Lowest 16% below MA |
45.8±7.1 15% above MA |
| Hatfield and Hadley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14%±4.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
24.1%±1.4 MA: 19.4% |
24.2%±0.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
16.2%±4.6 MA: 19.4% |
| Springfield and Lynn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 23.3%±4.6 MA: 17.9% |
13.7%±0.9 MA: 17.9% |
13.2%±0.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
24.2%±4.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Hadley and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.5% MA: 47.3% |
24.1% MA: 47.3% |
20.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
61.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±2.6Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±0.6 MA: 7.9% |
7.5%±0.5 MA: 7.9% |
10.9%±5.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Hadley and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $89,005±$25k 14% below MA |
$75,043±$3k 28% below MA |
$52,656±$2kLowest 49% below MA |
$119,259±$12kHighest 15% above MA |
| Hadley and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $440,800±$26k 22% below MA |
$510,100±$23k 9% below MA |
$245,000±$4kLowest 56% below MA |
$511,000±$43kHighest 9% below MA |
| Hadley and Lynn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,267±$216 28% below MA |
$1,722±$60Highest about the MA average |
$1,144±$55Lowest 35% below MA |
$1,402±$132 20% below MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,930 18% below MA |
$5,384Highest 10% below MA |
$3,695Lowest 38% below MA |
$5,271 12% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.6%±11.8 MA: 51.8% |
60%±4.1Highest MA: 51.8% |
57.7%±3.1 MA: 51.8% |
38.6%±18.9Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Lynn and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.9% MA: 10% |
13.8% MA: 10% |
25.8%Highest MA: 10% |
6.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74.6%Highest MA: 62.5% |
48.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
49.6% MA: 62.5% |
73.4% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1946Lowest 18 yrs older than MA |
1952 12 yrs older than MA |
1971Highest 7 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 30% below MA |
32 minHighest 8% above MA |
20 min 31% below MA |
20 minLowest 33% below MA |
| Work from home | 16%±6.3 MA: 18.6% |
7.9%±1Lowest MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±0.9 MA: 18.6% |
20.1%±7.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Hadley and Hatfield 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 | #198 of 282 in MA | #277 of 282 in MA | #276 of 282 in MA | #116 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Hatfield | Lynn | Springfield | Hadley |
| High school in town | Smith Academy | Lynn English High | Springfield Central High | Hopkins Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 6.1Lowest |
15.0Highest |
12.2 |
7.3 |
| 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.