Compare towns

Marlow vs Braintree vs Springfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Marlow has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.9%).
Braintree has the most affordable homes ($218k median).
Springfield has the most expensive homes ($384k 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.

MeasureMarlowBraintreeSpringfield
People
Population
855Lowest
1,026
1,122Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
-4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
52.8±11.7
36% above U.S.
58.4±2.4Highest
50% above U.S.
51.4±8.8Lowest
32% above U.S.
Braintree and Marlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.5%±6.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
12.3%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
15.1%±8
U.S.: 22%
Marlow and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
30.5%±5.7
U.S.: 17.2%
33.2%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.8%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Braintree and Marlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
33.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
30.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
36.4%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.3%±2.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.8%±1.3
U.S.: 6.4%
0%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Marlow and Braintree are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$110,455±$12kHighest
37% above U.S.
$79,803±$5kLowest
about the U.S. average
$100,893±$19k
25% above U.S.
Marlow and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$325,400±$49k
about the U.S. average
$217,700±$28kLowest
35% below U.S.
$384,100±$50kHighest
15% above U.S.
Springfield and Marlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,154±$160Highest
18% below U.S.
$840±$405Lowest
41% below U.S.
$1,096±$217
22% below U.S.
Marlow and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,826
87% above U.S.
$3,908Lowest
25% above U.S.
$5,946Highest
91% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
18.2%±95.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
43.4%±29.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
25.9%±64.8
U.S.: 51.1%
Braintree and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
11.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
81%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
90.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
1979Lowest
1 yr older than U.S.
1985Highest
5 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
35 minHighest
33% above U.S.
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
34 min
30% above U.S.
Work from home
0.8%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
19%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.7%±11.6
U.S.: 15.1%
Braintree and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Marlow School District Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 4 photos → 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.