Compare towns

Ipswich vs Springfield vs Maynard vs Rowley

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ipswich has the most expensive homes ($745k median).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Maynard has the most people working from home (22.9%).
Rowley has the most homeowners (81.7%).

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.

MeasureIpswichSpringfieldMaynardRowley
People
Population
13,930
154,749Highest
10,712
6,251Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.6%
MA: +7.4%
+1.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+5.2%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
47.2±3.5
18% above MA
33.7±0.5Lowest
16% below MA
45.3±4.3
13% above MA
50±6.3Highest
25% above MA
Rowley and Ipswich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.9%±2.7
MA: 19.4%
24.2%±0.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
16.9%±4.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
19.3%±4.5
MA: 19.4%
Springfield and Rowley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.9%±2.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
13.2%±0.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
18.2%±3.3
MA: 17.9%
21.6%±4.1
MA: 17.9%
Ipswich and Rowley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
60.2%
MA: 47.3%
20.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
64.2%Highest
MA: 47.3%
56.8%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.1%±1.3
MA: 7.9%
7.5%±0.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.8%±2.2
MA: 7.9%
Springfield and Rowley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$138,750±$16kHighest
33% above MA
$52,656±$2kLowest
49% below MA
$124,067±$16k
19% above MA
$132,734±$32k
28% above MA
Ipswich and Rowley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$745,400±$40kHighest
33% above MA
$245,000±$4kLowest
56% below MA
$527,400±$31k
6% below MA
$667,300±$52k
19% above MA
Ipswich and Rowley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,598±$90
9% below MA
$1,144±$55Lowest
35% below MA
$1,800±$148Highest
about the MA average
$1,603±$520
9% below MA
Maynard and Rowley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,960
33% above MA
$3,695Lowest
38% below MA
$8,266
38% above MA
$8,309Highest
39% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
51.5%±12.2
MA: 51.8%
57.7%±3.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
44.9%±9.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
57.7%±27.3Highest
MA: 51.8%
Below poverty line
5.7%
MA: 10%
25.8%Highest
MA: 10%
8.3%
MA: 10%
3.1%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74.4%
MA: 62.5%
49.6%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
75%
MA: 62.5%
81.7%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1964
same as MA
1952Lowest
12 yrs older than MA
1963
1 yr older than MA
1975Highest
11 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 min
about the MA average
20 minLowest
31% below MA
32 minHighest
9% above MA
28 min
3% below MA
Work from home
18.9%±3.8
MA: 18.6%
8.4%±0.9Lowest
MA: 18.6%
22.9%±7.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
11.1%±4
MA: 18.6%
Maynard and Ipswich 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 #101 of 282 in MA #276 of 282 in MA #166 of 282 in MA #214 of 282 in MA
School district Ipswich Springfield Maynard Triton
High school in town Ipswich High Springfield Central High Maynard High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.0Lowest
12.2Highest
9.7
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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.