Compare towns

Maynard vs Brookline vs Hadley

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 homeowners (75%).
Brookline has the most expensive homes ($1247k median).
Hadley has the shortest commute (20 min average).

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.

MeasureMaynardBrooklineHadley
People
Population
10,712
63,266Highest
5,306Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.3%
MA: +7.4%
+7.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+1.4%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±4.3
13% above MA
35.2±1.2Lowest
12% below MA
45.8±7.1Highest
15% above MA
Hadley and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.9%±4.3
MA: 19.4%
18.7%±1.4Highest
MA: 19.4%
16.2%±4.6Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Brookline 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%
15.8%±1.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
24.2%±4.8Highest
MA: 17.9%
Hadley 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%
85.4%Highest
MA: 47.3%
61.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
10.8%±1.3
MA: 7.9%
10.9%±5.7Highest
MA: 7.9%
Hadley and Brookline 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
$142,101±$8kHighest
37% above MA
$119,259±$12kLowest
15% above MA
Brookline 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
$1,246,800±$67kHighest
122% above MA
$511,000±$43kLowest
9% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,800±$148
about the MA average
$2,835±$82Highest
61% above MA
$1,402±$132Lowest
20% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,266
38% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$5,271Lowest
12% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.9%±9.6
MA: 51.8%
46.9%±4Highest
MA: 51.8%
38.6%±18.9Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Brookline and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.3%
MA: 10%
8.7%Highest
MA: 10%
6.4%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75%Highest
MA: 62.5%
46.9%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
73.4%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963
1 yr older than MA
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1971Highest
7 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
9% above MA
27 min
7% below MA
20 minLowest
33% below MA
Work from home
22.9%±7.7
MA: 18.6%
30.1%±2.2Highest
MA: 18.6%
20.1%±7.4Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Brookline 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 #22 of 282 in MA #116 of 282 in MA
School district Maynard — Hadley
High school in town Maynard High — Hopkins Academy
Students per teacherat that high school
9.7Highest
—
7.3Lowest
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.