Compare towns

Maynard vs Plainfield vs Ipswich

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Maynard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.3%).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($309k median).
Ipswich has the most expensive homes ($745k median).

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.

MeasureMaynardPlainfieldIpswich
People
Population
10,712
616Lowest
13,930Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-2.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+4.6%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±4.3Lowest
13% above MA
50.6±9.5Highest
27% above MA
47.2±3.5
18% above MA
Plainfield and Ipswich 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%
19%±9.3Highest
MA: 19.4%
18.9%±2.7
MA: 19.4%
Plainfield and Ipswich 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%
29.5%±7.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2.4
MA: 17.9%
Plainfield and Ipswich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
64.2%Highest
MA: 47.3%
52.6%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
60.2%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.4%±2.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.1%±1.3
MA: 7.9%
Plainfield and Ipswich 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
$63,500±$14kLowest
39% below MA
$138,750±$16kHighest
33% above MA
Ipswich 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±$31k
6% below MA
$309,000±$47kLowest
45% below MA
$745,400±$40kHighest
33% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,800±$148Highest
about the MA average
$1,292±$558Lowest
27% below MA
$1,598±$90
9% below MA
Maynard and Ipswich 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
$4,458Lowest
26% below MA
$7,960
33% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.9%±9.6
MA: 51.8%
40%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
51.5%±12.2Highest
MA: 51.8%
Ipswich and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.3%
MA: 10%
16.9%Highest
MA: 10%
5.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75%
MA: 62.5%
98%Highest
MA: 62.5%
74.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
1964
same as MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
9% above MA
38 minHighest
30% above MA
29 minLowest
about the MA average
Work from home
22.9%±7.7
MA: 18.6%
26.2%±8.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
18.9%±3.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Plainfield 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 — #101 of 282 in MA
School district Maynard — Ipswich
High school in town Maynard High — Ipswich High
Students per teacherat that high school
9.7Highest
—
9.0Lowest
On TownTapestry
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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.