Compare towns
Maynard vs Chilmark vs Swampscott
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%).
Swampscott has the most kids (20.1% 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.
| Measure | Maynard | Chilmark | Swampscott |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 10,712 |
1,578Lowest |
15,277Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.3%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+40%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+9.6% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±4.3 13% above MA |
53.6±8.1Highest 34% above MA |
44.5±3.5Lowest 11% 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% |
20.1%±2.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Swampscott and Maynard 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% |
36.2%±12.4Highest MA: 17.9% |
20.4%±2.6 MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 64.2% MA: 47.3% |
68.1%Highest MA: 47.3% |
62.2%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.5%±1.5 MA: 7.9% |
2.7%±2.6Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.7%±1.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Swampscott 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 |
$134,386±$23k 29% above MA |
| Chilmark and Swampscott 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 |
$771,100±$41k 37% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,800±$148Lowest about the MA average |
$2,750±$2kHighest 56% above MA |
$2,303±$143 31% above MA |
| Chilmark and Swampscott 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 |
$7,936 32% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.9%±9.6 MA: 51.8% |
30.8%±59.9Lowest MA: 51.8% |
57%±14.2Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Swampscott 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%Lowest MA: 10% |
7.1% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
89.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
75.9% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963 1 yr older than MA |
1984Highest 20 yrs newer than MA |
1955Lowest 9 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 9% above MA |
32 minLowest 8% above MA |
34 minHighest 18% above MA |
| Work from home | 22.9%±7.7Lowest MA: 18.6% |
25.7%±11 MA: 18.6% |
27.2%±4.6Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Swampscott and Chilmark 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 | — | #76 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Maynard | Up-Island Regional | Swampscott |
| High school in town | Maynard High | None in town | Swampscott High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.7Lowest |
— | 11.7Highest |
| 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.