Compare towns

Hatfield vs West Springfield Town vs Whately

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 most expensive homes ($441k median).
West Springfield Town has the most affordable homes ($322k median).
Whately has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.4%).

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.

MeasureHatfieldWest Springfield TownWhately
People
Population
3,325
28,772Highest
1,499Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.2%
MA: +7.4%
+1.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+7.4%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
46.8±5
17% above MA
40.1±2.6Lowest
about the MA average
49.3±6.7Highest
23% above MA
Whately and Hatfield 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%
18.9%±2.3Highest
MA: 19.4%
16.4%±3.8
MA: 19.4%
West Springfield Town and Whately 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%
17.5%±1.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
24.5%±6.3Highest
MA: 17.9%
Whately 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%Highest
MA: 47.3%
34%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
47.6%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±2.6
MA: 7.9%
5.7%±1.3Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.5%±1.4Lowest
MA: 7.9%
West Springfield Town and Hatfield 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
$69,371±$7kLowest
33% below MA
$116,563±$15kHighest
12% above MA
Whately 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±$26kHighest
22% below MA
$321,500±$16kLowest
43% below MA
$431,500±$22k
23% below MA
Hatfield and Whately are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,267±$216Highest
28% below MA
$1,144±$68
35% below MA
$977±$125Lowest
45% below MA
Hatfield and West Springfield Town are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,930
18% below MA
$4,380Lowest
27% below MA
$5,027Highest
16% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.6%±11.8
MA: 51.8%
60.1%±9.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
26.7%±29Lowest
MA: 51.8%
West Springfield Town and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.9%
MA: 10%
11.9%Highest
MA: 10%
5.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74.6%
MA: 62.5%
58.5%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
88.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967
3 yrs newer than MA
1958Lowest
6 yrs older than MA
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 min
30% below MA
19 minLowest
34% below MA
23 minHighest
21% below MA
Work from home
16%±6.3
MA: 18.6%
10.4%±2.4Lowest
MA: 18.6%
20.4%±8.5Highest
MA: 18.6%
Whately 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 #218 of 282 in MA —
School district Hatfield West Springfield Whately
High school in town Smith Academy West Springfield High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
6.1Lowest
13.1Highest
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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.