Compare towns

Maynard vs Milton 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).
Milton has the most expensive homes ($933k median).
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.

MeasureMaynardMiltonStow
People
Population
10,712
28,587Highest
7,165Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.3%
MA: +7.4%
+6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+8.9%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±4.3Highest
13% above MA
41.1±1.8Lowest
about the MA average
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%
25.3%±2.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
22.3%±4.1
MA: 19.4%
Milton 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%
16.1%±1.8Lowest
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%
71.9%
MA: 47.3%
75.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
9.7%±1.1Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.7%±1.4
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$124,067±$16kLowest
19% above MA
$188,529±$15kHighest
81% above MA
$185,809±$22k
79% above MA
Milton 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
$933,200±$31kHighest
66% above MA
$729,600±$39k
30% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,800±$148Highest
about the MA average
$1,474±$281Lowest
16% 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
$9,677
61% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.9%±9.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
45.7%±20.9
MA: 51.8%
59.7%±44.2Highest
MA: 51.8%
Stow and Milton 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%
4.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
5.2%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
85.2%
MA: 62.5%
85.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963
1 yr older than MA
1945Lowest
19 yrs older than MA
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
9% above MA
31 minLowest
8% above MA
36 minHighest
23% above MA
Work from home
22.9%±7.7Lowest
MA: 18.6%
29.7%±2.9
MA: 18.6%
36.6%±6.2Highest
MA: 18.6%
Stow and Milton 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 #55 of 282 in MA #44 of 282 in MA
School district Maynard Milton Nashoba
High school in town Maynard High Milton High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.7Lowest
12.4Highest
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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.