Compare towns
Lowell vs Jay vs Berkshire
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lowell has the most affordable homes ($183k median).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Berkshire has the shortest commute (32 min average).
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 | Jay | Berkshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,070 |
471Lowest |
1,745Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9% VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-8.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 32.9±6.5 24% below VT |
52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
31.6±6.9Lowest 27% below VT |
| Kids under 18 | 30.7%±6.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
14.2%±7.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
27.2%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Lowell and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 12.3%±4.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
15.5%±6.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
14.8%±2.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Jay and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
45.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
22% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9 VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
3.8%±2.3Highest VT: 7% |
| Berkshire and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $57,404±$15kLowest 29% below VT |
$74,792±$25kHighest 8% below VT |
$71,406±$21k 12% below VT |
| Jay and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $183,400±$33kLowest 42% below VT |
$234,200±$45k 26% below VT |
$244,600±$26kHighest 23% below VT |
| Berkshire and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $945±$46Lowest 23% below VT |
— | $1,525±$267Highest 24% above VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,810Lowest 44% below VT |
$3,588Highest 29% below VT |
$3,545 30% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.3%±92.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
57.4%±52.6Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Berkshire and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.6% VT: 10.1% |
8.7%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
14.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1% VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
77.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1979Lowest 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 135% above VT |
40 min 69% above VT |
32 minLowest 37% above VT |
| Work from home | 7.5%±2.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±5.3 VT: 16.9% |
| Jay and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Lowell School District | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
VT 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.