Compare towns

Mansfield vs Conway vs Grafton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Mansfield has the most expensive homes ($604k median).
Conway has the oldest population (median age 55.6).
Grafton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.7%).

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.

MeasureMansfieldConwayGrafton
People
Population
23,931Highest
1,755Lowest
19,902
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.9%
MA: +7.4%
-7.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+10.7%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
41.4±1.3
4% above MA
55.6±3Highest
39% above MA
41.1±1.6Lowest
about the MA average
Kids under 18
22.4%±2.4
MA: 19.4%
16.5%±3.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
22.5%±2.7Highest
MA: 19.4%
Grafton and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
15.4%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
31.9%±4.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
15.5%±2.3
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
51.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
60.5%Highest
MA: 47.3%
55.7%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.5%±1.3
MA: 7.9%
2.6%±1.2Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1.3Highest
MA: 7.9%
Grafton and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$125,273±$15k
21% above MA
$97,250±$11kLowest
6% below MA
$131,484±$11kHighest
26% above MA
Grafton and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$603,500±$28kHighest
7% above MA
$395,900±$25kLowest
30% below MA
$525,300±$37k
7% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,803±$147Highest
about the MA average
$1,800±$990
about the MA average
$1,504±$169Lowest
15% below MA
Mansfield and Conway are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,226Highest
21% above MA
$5,797Lowest
3% below MA
$7,117
19% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
38.2%±8.5
MA: 51.8%
23.9%±33.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
45.1%±12.5Highest
MA: 51.8%
Grafton and Mansfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.7%
MA: 10%
4.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
6.3%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.1%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
93.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
73.2%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Highest
16 yrs newer than MA
1976Lowest
12 yrs newer than MA
1977
13 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minHighest
13% above MA
24 minLowest
18% below MA
33 minHighest
13% above MA
Work from home
20%±3.4Lowest
MA: 18.6%
29.1%±8.5Highest
MA: 18.6%
22.4%±2.6
MA: 18.6%
Conway and Grafton 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 #60 of 282 in MA — #67 of 282 in MA
School district Mansfield Conway Grafton
High school in town Mansfield High None in town Grafton High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1Lowest
—
12.9Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.