Compare towns

Maynard vs Groton vs Stow

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).
Groton has the most kids (28.3% under 18).
Stow has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.9%).

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.

MeasureMaynardGrotonStow
People
Population
10,712
11,390Highest
7,165Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+8.9%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±4.3Highest
13% above MA
41.4±2.7Lowest
4% above MA
44.1±4.4
10% above MA
Maynard and Stow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.9%±4.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
28.3%±4.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
22.3%±4.1
MA: 19.4%
Groton and Stow 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%
17.3%±2.8Lowest
MA: 17.9%
19.1%±3.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
Stow 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%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
70.1%
MA: 47.3%
75.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.7%±1.4
MA: 7.9%
Groton and Stow 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
$192,958±$27kHighest
86% above MA
$185,809±$22k
79% above MA
Groton and Stow 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
$743,400±$46kHighest
32% above MA
$729,600±$39k
30% above MA
Groton and Stow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,800±$148Highest
about the MA average
$1,458±$335Lowest
17% below MA
$1,782±$126
about the MA average
Maynard and Stow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,266Lowest
38% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.9%±9.6
MA: 51.8%
43.8%±17Lowest
MA: 51.8%
59.7%±44.2Highest
MA: 51.8%
Stow 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%
3.8%Lowest
MA: 10%
5.2%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
88.8%Highest
MA: 62.5%
85.4%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1988Highest
24 yrs newer than MA
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minLowest
9% above MA
32 min
11% above MA
36 minHighest
23% above MA
Work from home
22.9%±7.7Lowest
MA: 18.6%
27.5%±5.8
MA: 18.6%
36.6%±6.2Highest
MA: 18.6%
Stow and Groton 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 #39 of 282 in MA #44 of 282 in MA
School district Maynard Groton-Dunstable Nashoba
High school in town Maynard High Groton Dunstable Regional None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.7Lowest
13.7Highest
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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.