Compare towns

Lowell vs Montgomery vs Worcester

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lowell has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.9%).
Montgomery has the most expensive homes ($323k median).
Worcester has the most people working from home (23.6%).

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.

MeasureLowellMontgomeryWorcester
People
Population
1,070Highest
1,047
831Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.9%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1.4%
VT: +2.8%
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
32.9±6.5Lowest
24% below VT
51.5±11.3Highest
19% above VT
47±2.7
9% above VT
Montgomery and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
30.7%±6.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.5%±4.4
VT: 17.9%
12.8%±3.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Age 65+
12.3%±4.1Lowest
VT: 21.4%
33.9%±8.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.5%±2.5
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
19.2%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
52.8%
VT: 43.8%
53%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±1.9Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±3.2Lowest
VT: 7%
6.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
Worcester 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±$15k
29% below VT
$53,289±$24kLowest
34% below VT
$73,833±$18kHighest
9% below VT
Worcester and Lowell 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
$323,200±$45kHighest
about the VT average
$271,100±$27k
14% below VT
Montgomery and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$945±$46
23% below VT
$868±$209Lowest
30% below VT
$1,023±$136Highest
17% below VT
Worcester and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,810Lowest
44% below VT
$4,326
14% below VT
$4,421Highest
12% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.3%±92.9
VT: 48.4%
76.6%±68Highest
VT: 48.4%
25.5%±37Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Montgomery and Lowell 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%
15.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.9%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.1%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
85.9%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1976Lowest
same as VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
55 minHighest
135% above VT
37 min
58% above VT
29 minLowest
22% above VT
Work from home
7.5%±2.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
16%±5.9
VT: 16.9%
23.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
Worcester and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Lowell School District Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.