Compare towns
Mason vs Worcester vs Brookline
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Mason has the most kids (28.8% under 18).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Brookline has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13%).
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.
| Measure | Mason | Worcester | Brookline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,451 |
831Lowest |
5,736Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+13%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.7±2.3 12% above U.S. |
47±2.7Highest 21% above U.S. |
41.2±1.5Lowest 6% above U.S. |
| Worcester and Mason are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 28.8%±6.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
26.7%±4 U.S.: 22% |
| Mason and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.6%±2.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
19.5%±2.5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
11.4%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Worcester and Mason are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
53% U.S.: 35.7% |
57.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.8%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.9%±4.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.3%±3.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Worcester and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $111,090±$3k 38% above U.S. |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below U.S. |
$171,046±$4kHighest 112% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $384,000±$21k 15% above U.S. |
$271,100±$27kLowest 19% below U.S. |
$544,400±$38kHighest 64% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,530±$852Highest 79% above U.S. |
$1,023±$136Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$2,500±$1k 77% above U.S. |
| Mason and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,049 126% above U.S. |
$4,421Lowest 42% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 87.2%±42.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
25.5%±37 U.S.: 51.1% |
23.8%±43.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Mason and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
0.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
85.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
95.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1976Lowest 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1993Highest 13 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 41 minHighest 55% above U.S. |
29 minLowest 9% above U.S. |
33 min 26% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 20.7%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
23.6%±4.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
24.7%±5.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Brookline and Worcester 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 | — | — | #23 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Mason School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Brookline School District |
| 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.