Compare towns
Lowell vs Lancaster vs Westfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lowell has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.9%).
Lancaster has the shortest commute (23 min average).
Westfield has the most expensive homes ($301k median).
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 | Lancaster | Westfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,070 |
3,216Highest |
536Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-8.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 32.9±6.5Lowest 15% below U.S. |
45.5±6.9Highest 17% above U.S. |
44±19.9 13% above U.S. |
| Lancaster and Westfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 30.7%±6.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
20.9%±6.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
27.1%±5.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Lowell and Westfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 12.3%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
28.4%±5.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
29.7%±11.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Westfield and Lancaster 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 U.S.: 35.7% |
30.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
27.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.9%±2.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.2%±2.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Westfield and Lancaster 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 U.S. |
$68,911±$23k 15% below U.S. |
$72,500±$30kHighest 10% below U.S. |
| Westfield and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $183,400±$33kLowest 45% below U.S. |
$215,700±$24k 35% below U.S. |
$301,400±$47kHighest 9% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $945±$46 33% below U.S. |
$1,019±$263Highest 28% below U.S. |
$863±$187Lowest 39% below U.S. |
| Lancaster and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,810Lowest 10% below U.S. |
$4,226 35% above U.S. |
$4,388Highest 41% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.3%±92.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
36.1%±17 U.S.: 51.1% |
66.7%±71.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Westfield and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
16.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
12.1% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
75.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
91.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
1942Lowest 38 yrs older than U.S. |
1973 7 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 109% above U.S. |
23 minLowest 13% below U.S. |
30 min 15% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 7.5%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
11.5%±6.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
14.4%±6.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Westfield and Lancaster 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 | — | #107 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Lowell School District | White Mountains Regional School District | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.