Compare towns

Hudson vs Springfield vs Bolton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hudson has the oldest population (median age 43.8).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Bolton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+15.7%).

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.

MeasureHudsonSpringfieldBolton
People
Population
15,719
154,749Highest
5,737Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.6%
MA: +7.4%
+1.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+15.7%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
43.8±2.6Highest
9% above MA
33.7±0.5Lowest
16% below MA
41.2±1.7
3% above MA
Hudson and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.8%±2.6Lowest
MA: 19.4%
24.2%±0.9
MA: 19.4%
25%±3.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
Bolton and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.4%±2.7Highest
MA: 17.9%
13.2%±0.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
15.7%±3.2
MA: 17.9%
Hudson and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
43.5%
MA: 47.3%
20.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
81.9%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.8%±1.2
MA: 7.9%
7.5%±0.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.6%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$90,524±$9k
13% below MA
$52,656±$2kLowest
49% below MA
$205,449±$31kHighest
98% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$473,300±$15k
16% below MA
$245,000±$4kLowest
56% below MA
$796,000±$49kHighest
42% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,397±$83
21% below MA
$1,144±$55Lowest
35% below MA
$1,583±$1kHighest
10% below MA
Bolton and Hudson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,597
10% above MA
$3,695Lowest
38% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
40.4%±8.5
MA: 51.8%
57.7%±3.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
12.7%±45.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Below poverty line
6.3%
MA: 10%
25.8%Highest
MA: 10%
2.9%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
68%
MA: 62.5%
49.6%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
94.7%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968
4 yrs newer than MA
1952Lowest
12 yrs older than MA
1988Highest
24 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
4% above MA
20 minLowest
31% below MA
37 minHighest
26% above MA
Work from home
18.3%±4.2
MA: 18.6%
8.4%±0.9Lowest
MA: 18.6%
40.5%±6.9Highest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #224 of 282 in MA #276 of 282 in MA #28 of 282 in MA
School district — Springfield Nashoba
High school in town — Springfield Central High Nashoba Regional
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.2Highest
12.0Lowest
On TownTapestry
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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.