Compare towns
Lowell vs Danforth vs Waltham vs Enfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Maine.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lowell has the most expensive homes ($210k median).
Danforth has the most affordable homes ($90k median).
Waltham has the most people working from home (13.4%).
Enfield has the most kids (18.5% under 18).
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 | Danforth | Waltham | Enfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 378 |
666 |
346Lowest |
1,462Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -0.3%Highest ME: +2.6% |
— | -10.7%Lowest ME: +2.6% |
| Median age | 55.5±8.6 24% above ME |
53.1±4.4 19% above ME |
56.4±9.3Highest 26% above ME |
49.8±5.4Lowest 11% above ME |
| Waltham and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 13.2%±4.4Lowest ME: 18.1% |
13.4%±4.3 ME: 18.1% |
15%±8.1 ME: 18.1% |
18.5%±5.3Highest ME: 18.1% |
| Enfield and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 31.2%±4.7 ME: 22.4% |
26.1%±3.7Lowest ME: 22.4% |
32.9%±4.7Highest ME: 22.4% |
28%±5.9 ME: 22.4% |
| Waltham and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30%Highest ME: 36.2% |
9%Lowest ME: 36.2% |
22.8% ME: 36.2% |
24% ME: 36.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±1.9 ME: 5.8% |
1.7%±2Lowest ME: 5.8% |
1.7%±3.5Lowest ME: 5.8% |
2.1%±1.6Highest ME: 5.8% |
| Enfield and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $50,833±$31k 32% below ME |
$48,125±$8kLowest 36% below ME |
$71,071±$14kHighest 5% below ME |
$62,667±$7k 16% below ME |
| Waltham and Enfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $209,700±$30kHighest 29% below ME |
$89,900±$36kLowest 70% below ME |
$181,300±$22k 39% below ME |
$178,100±$22k 40% below ME |
| Lowell and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $629±$29 45% below ME |
$850±$567Highest 25% below ME |
$425±$422Lowest 63% below ME |
| Waltham and Danforth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $1,478 51% below ME |
$1,270Lowest 58% below ME |
$1,452 52% below ME |
$2,152Highest 29% below ME |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 80%±100Highest ME: 48.4% |
36.1%±57.5 ME: 48.4% |
15%±96.7Lowest ME: 48.4% |
58.3%±64.3 ME: 48.4% |
| Lowell and Enfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.8% ME: 10.7% |
13.9% ME: 10.7% |
19.7%Highest ME: 10.7% |
6.8%Lowest ME: 10.7% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.5% ME: 74.3% |
81.6%Lowest ME: 74.3% |
85.2% ME: 74.3% |
95.9%Highest ME: 74.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1990Highest 13 yrs newer than ME |
1987 10 yrs newer than ME |
1986 9 yrs newer than ME |
1984Lowest 7 yrs newer than ME |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 24% above ME |
28 min 15% above ME |
41 minHighest 67% above ME |
27 minLowest 11% above ME |
| Work from home | 10.8%±5.7 ME: 15.9% |
5.8%±3.4 ME: 15.9% |
13.4%±6.1Highest ME: 15.9% |
5.1%±3.8Lowest ME: 15.9% |
| Waltham and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | — | — | — | RSU 31/MSAD 31 |
| High school in town | — | — | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
ME 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.