Compare towns
Maynard vs Ashfield vs Maynard vs Northborough
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ashfield has the oldest population (median age 58.6).
Northborough has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.2%).
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 | Ashfield | Maynard | Northborough |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,712 |
1,893Lowest |
10,712 |
15,750Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.3% MA: +7.4% |
-2.4%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+6.3% MA: +7.4% |
+11.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±4.3 13% above MA |
58.6±3.4Highest 47% above MA |
45.3±4.3 13% above MA |
45±3Lowest 13% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±4.3 MA: 19.4% |
12.4%±3.6Lowest MA: 19.4% |
16.9%±4.3 MA: 19.4% |
21.6%±2.8Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Northborough and Maynard 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% |
33.7%±2.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
18.2%±3.3 MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±2.3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 64.2% MA: 47.3% |
52%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
64.2% MA: 47.3% |
65.5%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.5%±1.5 MA: 7.9% |
1.2%±0.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
3.5%±1.5 MA: 7.9% |
5.1%±1.4Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Northborough and Maynard 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 |
$80,833±$16kLowest 22% below MA |
$124,067±$16k 19% above MA |
$153,199±$19kHighest 47% above MA |
| Northborough and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $527,400±$31k 6% below MA |
$400,600±$30kLowest 29% below MA |
$527,400±$31k 6% below MA |
$620,000±$24kHighest 10% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,800±$148 about the MA average |
$1,100±$200Lowest 38% below MA |
$1,800±$148 about the MA average |
$1,919±$269Highest 9% above MA |
| Northborough and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,266Highest 38% above MA |
$5,197Lowest 13% below MA |
$8,266Highest 38% above MA |
$7,983 33% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.9%±9.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
62.5%±34Highest MA: 51.8% |
44.9%±9.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
50.1%±16.3 MA: 51.8% |
| Ashfield and Northborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.3% MA: 10% |
9.1%Highest MA: 10% |
8.3% MA: 10% |
3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
85.5%Highest MA: 62.5% |
75%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
83.1% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963Lowest 1 yr older than MA |
1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1963Lowest 1 yr older than MA |
1980Highest 16 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 9% above MA |
30 minLowest about the MA average |
32 minHighest 9% above MA |
31 min 7% above MA |
| Work from home | 22.9%±7.7 MA: 18.6% |
24%±6Highest MA: 18.6% |
22.9%±7.7 MA: 18.6% |
22.5%±5.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Ashfield and Maynard 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 | — | #166 of 282 in MA | #35 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Maynard | Mohawk Trail | — | Northborough · Northboro-Southboro |
| High school in town | Maynard High | None in town | — | Algonquin Regional High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7Lowest |
— | — | 10.8Highest |
| 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.