Compare towns

Maynard vs Chilmark vs Northborough

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).
Chilmark has grown the fastest since 2010 (+40%).
Northborough has the most kids (21.6% under 18).

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.

MeasureMaynardChilmarkNorthborough
People
Population
10,712
1,578Lowest
15,750Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+40%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+11.2%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±4.3
13% above MA
53.6±8.1Highest
34% above MA
45±3Lowest
13% above MA
Chilmark 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%
16.7%±4.3Lowest
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%
36.2%±12.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
17.7%±2.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
64.2%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
68.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
65.5%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.5
MA: 7.9%
2.7%±2.6Lowest
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±$16kLowest
19% above MA
$168,750±$28kHighest
62% above MA
$153,199±$19k
47% above MA
Chilmark and Northborough are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$527,400±$31kLowest
6% below MA
$1,895,300±$281kHighest
237% above MA
$620,000±$24k
10% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,800±$148Lowest
about the MA average
$2,750±$2kHighest
56% above MA
$1,919±$269
9% above MA
Chilmark and Northborough 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
$4,485Lowest
25% below MA
$7,983
33% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.9%±9.6
MA: 51.8%
30.8%±59.9Lowest
MA: 51.8%
50.1%±16.3Highest
MA: 51.8%
Northborough 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%
4.1%
MA: 10%
3.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
89.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
83.1%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1984Highest
20 yrs newer than MA
1980
16 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
9% above MA
32 min
8% above MA
31 minLowest
7% above MA
Work from home
22.9%±7.7
MA: 18.6%
25.7%±11Highest
MA: 18.6%
22.5%±5.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Chilmark 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 — #35 of 282 in MA
School district Maynard Up-Island Regional 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

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.