Compare towns

Manchester vs Mapleton vs Ludlow

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Manchester has the shortest commute (14 min average).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Ludlow has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).

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.

MeasureManchesterMapletonLudlow
People
Population
4,486Highest
1,884Lowest
1,990
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+10.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
54.5±6.3Highest
40% above U.S.
41.8±6Lowest
7% above U.S.
52.2±6.2
34% above U.S.
Manchester and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.9%±4.5
U.S.: 22%
22.2%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
14.1%±6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Mapleton and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
25.7%±4.6
U.S.: 17.2%
18.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
31.1%±2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Ludlow and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
47.4%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
45.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.8%±3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5%±2.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.8%±6.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$94,886±$23kHighest
18% above U.S.
$91,731±$25k
14% above U.S.
$54,885±$14kLowest
32% below U.S.
Manchester and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$454,600±$47kHighest
37% above U.S.
$191,800±$23kLowest
42% below U.S.
$370,200±$46k
11% above U.S.
Manchester and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,057±$76
25% below U.S.
$610±$277Lowest
57% below U.S.
$1,112±$151Highest
21% below U.S.
Ludlow and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,923Highest
90% above U.S.
$1,789Lowest
43% below U.S.
$4,890
57% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.5%±13.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
16.7%±10.5Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
45.2%±25.2
U.S.: 51.1%
Manchester and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
5.6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
71.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
14 minLowest
45% below U.S.
28 minHighest
5% above U.S.
20 min
24% below U.S.
Work from home
23.1%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
10.8%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
21.3%±5.2
U.S.: 15.1%
Manchester and Ludlow 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 #37 of 70 in VT — —
School district Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 RSU 79/MSAD 01 Ludlow Mt. Holly Unified Union School District #83
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

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.