Compare towns
Maynard vs Ayer vs Maynard
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ayer has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
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 | Ayer | Maynard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 10,712Highest |
8,645Lowest |
10,712Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+14.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+6.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±4.3Highest 13% above MA |
39.2±2.8Lowest about the MA average |
45.3±4.3Highest 13% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±4.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
20.3%±3.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Ayer and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.2%±3.3Highest MA: 17.9% |
14.5%±2.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
18.2%±3.3Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 64.2%Highest MA: 47.3% |
42.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
64.2%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.5%±1.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.5%±1.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.5%±1.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Ayer 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±$16kHighest 19% above MA |
$101,875±$15kLowest about the MA average |
$124,067±$16kHighest 19% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $527,400±$31kHighest 6% below MA |
$463,800±$29kLowest 17% below MA |
$527,400±$31kHighest 6% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,800±$148Highest about the MA average |
$1,415±$180Lowest 20% below MA |
$1,800±$148Highest about the MA average |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,266Highest 38% above MA |
$5,057Lowest 16% below MA |
$8,266Highest 38% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.9%±9.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
45.1%±14.2Highest MA: 51.8% |
44.9%±9.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Ayer and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.3%Lowest MA: 10% |
10.7%Highest MA: 10% |
8.3%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75%Highest MA: 62.5% |
69.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
75%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963Lowest 1 yr older than MA |
1977Highest 13 yrs newer than MA |
1963Lowest 1 yr older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minLowest 9% above MA |
33 minHighest 13% above MA |
32 minLowest 9% above MA |
| Work from home | 22.9%±7.7Highest MA: 18.6% |
21.6%±5.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
22.9%±7.7Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #166 of 282 in MA | #113 of 282 in MA | #166 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Maynard | Ayer Shirley School District | — |
| High school in town | Maynard High | Ayer Shirley Regional High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7Lowest |
11.5Highest |
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| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 12 photos → | 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.