Compare towns

Lunenburg vs Pepperell vs Leominster

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Lunenburg has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.8%).
Pepperell has the most people working from home (18.1%).
Leominster has the most renters (37.7% rent).

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.

MeasureLunenburgPepperellLeominster
People
Population
11,902
11,663Lowest
43,909Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.8%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+0.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+7.4%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
43.2±2.1
8% above MA
42.4±3.3Lowest
6% above MA
43.3±2.2Highest
8% above MA
Leominster and Lunenburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.1%±3Highest
MA: 19.4%
20.1%±3.3
MA: 19.4%
19%±1.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Lunenburg and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.9%±2.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
18.2%±2.3
MA: 17.9%
19.3%±1.9Highest
MA: 17.9%
Leominster and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
44%Highest
MA: 47.3%
43.8%
MA: 47.3%
33.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±1.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.7%±2.3Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.9%±1
MA: 7.9%
Pepperell and Leominster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,828±$11k
9% above MA
$124,073±$12kHighest
19% above MA
$83,816±$7kLowest
19% below MA
Pepperell and Lunenburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$463,900±$24k
17% below MA
$482,100±$14kHighest
14% below MA
$380,400±$14kLowest
32% below MA
Pepperell and Lunenburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,974±$586Highest
12% above MA
$1,295±$238Lowest
27% below MA
$1,354±$50
23% below MA
Lunenburg and Leominster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,401
7% above MA
$6,698Highest
12% above MA
$5,256Lowest
12% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.8%±13.5
MA: 51.8%
45.1%±16.1Lowest
MA: 51.8%
48.9%±5.6Highest
MA: 51.8%
Leominster and Lunenburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
8%
MA: 10%
9.2%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
MA: 62.5%
84.3%Highest
MA: 62.5%
62.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
8 yrs newer than MA
1981Highest
17 yrs newer than MA
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
36 minHighest
24% above MA
34 min
16% above MA
26 minLowest
10% below MA
Work from home
15.8%±3.5
MA: 18.6%
18.1%±2.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
10.9%±2.1Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Pepperell and Lunenburg 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 #87 of 282 in MA #153 of 282 in MA #233 of 282 in MA
School district Lunenburg North Middlesex Leominster
High school in town Lunenburg High None in town Leominster High School
Students per teacherat that high school
12.4Highest
—
10.6Lowest
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.