Compare towns

Maynard vs Stoneham vs Stow

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 most affordable homes ($527k median).
Stoneham has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Stow has the highest household income ($186k).

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.

MeasureMaynardStonehamStow
People
Population
10,712
23,355Highest
7,165Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+8.4%
MA: +7.4%
+8.9%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±4.3Highest
13% above MA
42.2±2.2Lowest
6% above MA
44.1±4.4
10% above MA
Maynard and Stow 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%
20.8%±2.5
MA: 19.4%
22.3%±4.1Highest
MA: 19.4%
Stow and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.2%±3.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
20.4%±2.2Highest
MA: 17.9%
19.1%±3.5
MA: 17.9%
Stoneham and Stow 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%
55.9%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
75.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.7%±1.4Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.7%±1.4
MA: 7.9%
Stoneham and Stow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$124,067±$16k
19% above MA
$113,964±$10kLowest
10% above MA
$185,809±$22kHighest
79% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$527,400±$31kLowest
6% below MA
$671,900±$26k
20% above MA
$729,600±$39kHighest
30% above MA
Stow and Stoneham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,800±$148
about the MA average
$2,035±$142Highest
15% above MA
$1,782±$126Lowest
about the MA average
Stoneham 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
$6,523Lowest
9% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.9%±9.6
MA: 51.8%
41.9%±8.2Lowest
MA: 51.8%
59.7%±44.2Highest
MA: 51.8%
Stow and Maynard 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%
5.4%
MA: 10%
5.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75%
MA: 62.5%
71%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
85.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1964
same as MA
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
9% above MA
28 minLowest
4% below MA
36 minHighest
23% above MA
Work from home
22.9%±7.7Lowest
MA: 18.6%
24.6%±3.6
MA: 18.6%
36.6%±6.2Highest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #166 of 282 in MA #117 of 282 in MA #44 of 282 in MA
School district — — Nashoba
High school in town — — None in town
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.