Compare towns
Maynard vs Acton vs Sutton vs Sudbury
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Maynard has the oldest population (median age 45.3).
Acton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.6%).
Sutton has the shortest commute (30 min average).
Sudbury has the highest household income ($236k).
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 | Maynard | Acton | Sutton | Sudbury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,712 |
24,155Highest |
9,452Lowest |
19,306 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.3% MA: +7.4% |
+9.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+4.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+7.2% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±4.3Highest 13% above MA |
44.5±0.8 11% above MA |
44.3±2.5 11% above MA |
42.3±2.1Lowest 6% above MA |
| Maynard and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±4.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
23.2%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
19.6%±3.3 MA: 19.4% |
28.5%±3.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Sudbury and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.2%±3.3 MA: 17.9% |
17.6%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
18.8%±3.2Highest MA: 17.9% |
15.5%±1.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Sutton and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 64.2% MA: 47.3% |
79.5% MA: 47.3% |
52.8%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
83.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.5%±1.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.9%±1.2Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.9%±1.8 MA: 7.9% |
4.7%±1.6 MA: 7.9% |
| Acton and Sudbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $124,067±$16kLowest 19% above MA |
$158,230±$14k 52% above MA |
$147,125±$25k 42% above MA |
$236,250±$17kHighest 127% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $527,400±$31k 6% below MA |
$807,300±$20k 44% above MA |
$523,100±$47kLowest 7% below MA |
$988,900±$42kHighest 76% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,800±$148 about the MA average |
$1,986±$155Highest 13% above MA |
$1,190±$401Lowest 32% below MA |
$1,445±$895 18% below MA |
| Acton and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,266 38% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$6,763Lowest 13% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.9%±9.6 MA: 51.8% |
47.7%±11.3Highest MA: 51.8% |
47.5%±24.4 MA: 51.8% |
44.8%±12.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Acton and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.3%Highest MA: 10% |
3.4% MA: 10% |
5.8% MA: 10% |
3%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75% MA: 62.5% |
74.9%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
89.7% MA: 62.5% |
89.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963Lowest 1 yr older than MA |
1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
1981Highest 17 yrs newer than MA |
1977 13 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 9% above MA |
35 minHighest 19% above MA |
30 minLowest about the MA average |
35 minHighest 19% above MA |
| Work from home | 22.9%±7.7 MA: 18.6% |
35.9%±4.6Highest MA: 18.6% |
22.7%±4.1Lowest MA: 18.6% |
33%±3.6 MA: 18.6% |
| Acton and Sudbury 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 | #166 of 282 in MA | #13 of 282 in MA | #105 of 282 in MA | #15 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Acton-Boxborough | Sutton | Lincoln-Sudbury · Sudbury |
| High school in town | — | Acton-Boxborough Regional High | Sutton High School | Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 13.5Highest |
12.6 |
11.3Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.