Compare towns
Lowell vs Worcester vs Tyngsborough
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Worcester has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.1%).
Tyngsborough has the most homeowners (86.2%).
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 | Lowell | Worcester | Tyngsborough |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 118,368 |
207,055Highest |
12,550Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+14.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+9.6% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 35.6±0.8 11% below MA |
33.9±0.5Lowest 15% below MA |
39.4±2.9Highest about the MA average |
| Kids under 18 | 21.7%±1.3 MA: 19.4% |
19.6%±0.8Lowest MA: 19.4% |
23.6%±4.5Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Tyngsborough and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 12.6%±0.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
13.3%±0.6 MA: 17.9% |
14.7%±2.3Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Tyngsborough and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
35.2% MA: 47.3% |
51.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 9.7%±0.6 MA: 7.9% |
14.1%±0.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
8.1%±2.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $78,658±$4k 24% below MA |
$70,102±$2kLowest 33% below MA |
$129,348±$18kHighest 24% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $429,200±$11k 24% below MA |
$374,400±$7kLowest 33% below MA |
$552,500±$34kHighest about the MA average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,625±$40 8% below MA |
$1,487±$38Lowest 16% below MA |
$1,986±$404Highest 13% above MA |
| Tyngsborough and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,499Lowest 25% below MA |
$4,733 21% below MA |
$7,426Highest 24% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.4%±3.8Lowest MA: 51.8% |
54.2%±2.9 MA: 51.8% |
72.2%±22.7Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Tyngsborough and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 16.9% MA: 10% |
19.6%Highest MA: 10% |
6.6%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 43.2% MA: 62.5% |
42.8%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
86.2%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1953 11 yrs older than MA |
1951Lowest 13 yrs older than MA |
1987Highest 23 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minHighest 4% below MA |
24 minLowest 17% below MA |
24 minLowest 17% below MA |
| Work from home | 10.6%±1.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
11.5%±1 MA: 18.6% |
18.6%±5.6Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #255 of 282 in MA | #266 of 282 in MA | #174 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Lowell | Ma Academy for Math and Science · Worcester | Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical · Tyngsborough |
| High school in town | Lowell High | South High Community | Gr Lowell Regional Vocational Technical |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 14.8Highest |
14.6 |
11.2Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.