Compare towns

Maynard vs Northborough vs Stoneham

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).
Northborough has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.2%).
Stoneham has the shortest commute (28 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.

MeasureMaynardNorthboroughStoneham
People
Population
10,712Lowest
15,750
23,355Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+11.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+8.4%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±4.3Highest
13% above MA
45±3
13% above MA
42.2±2.2Lowest
6% above MA
Maynard and Northborough 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%
21.6%±2.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
20.8%±2.5
MA: 19.4%
Northborough and Stoneham 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%
17.7%±2.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
20.4%±2.2Highest
MA: 17.9%
Stoneham 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%
65.5%Highest
MA: 47.3%
55.9%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.1%±1.4Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.7%±1.4
MA: 7.9%
Northborough and Stoneham 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
$153,199±$19kHighest
47% above MA
$113,964±$10kLowest
10% above MA
Northborough 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±$31kLowest
6% below MA
$620,000±$24k
10% above MA
$671,900±$26kHighest
20% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,800±$148Lowest
about the MA average
$1,919±$269
9% above MA
$2,035±$142Highest
15% above MA
Stoneham 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
$7,983
33% above MA
$6,523Lowest
9% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.9%±9.6
MA: 51.8%
50.1%±16.3Highest
MA: 51.8%
41.9%±8.2Lowest
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%
3.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
5.4%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75%
MA: 62.5%
83.1%Highest
MA: 62.5%
71%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1980Highest
16 yrs newer than MA
1964
same as MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
9% above MA
31 min
7% above MA
28 minLowest
4% below MA
Work from home
22.9%±7.7
MA: 18.6%
22.5%±5.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
24.6%±3.6Highest
MA: 18.6%
Stoneham 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 #117 of 282 in MA
School district Maynard Northborough · Northboro-Southboro Stoneham
High school in town Maynard High Algonquin Regional High Stoneham High
Students per teacherat that high school
9.7Lowest
10.8Highest
10.7
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.