Compare towns
Maynard vs Sterling vs Maynard vs Swampscott
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Sterling has the most affordable homes ($283k median).
Swampscott has the most expensive homes ($771k 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.
| Measure | Maynard | Sterling | Maynard | Swampscott |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,712 |
3,629Lowest |
10,712 |
15,277Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
— | +6.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.3±4.3Highest 16% above U.S. |
39.4±5.9Lowest about the U.S. average |
45.3±4.3Highest 16% above U.S. |
44.5±3.5 14% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±4.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
22.8%±5.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
20.1%±2.9 U.S.: 22% |
| Sterling and Swampscott are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.2%±3.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
13%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.2%±3.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.4%±2.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Swampscott 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%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
18%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
64.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
62.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.5%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.7%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.5%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.7%±1.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Swampscott and Sterling 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 54% above U.S. |
$102,695±$12kLowest 27% above U.S. |
$124,067±$16k 54% above U.S. |
$134,386±$23kHighest 66% above U.S. |
| Swampscott 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 59% above U.S. |
$283,400±$17kLowest 15% below U.S. |
$527,400±$31k 59% above U.S. |
$771,100±$41kHighest 132% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,800±$148Lowest 27% above U.S. |
— | $1,800±$148Lowest 27% above U.S. |
$2,303±$143Highest 63% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,266Highest 165% above U.S. |
$4,551Lowest 46% above U.S. |
$8,266Highest 165% above U.S. |
$7,936 154% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.9%±9.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
32%±18.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
44.9%±9.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
57%±14.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| 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 U.S.: 12.5% |
8.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
81.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
75%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
75.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1963 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1955Lowest 25 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minLowest 20% above U.S. |
35 minHighest 34% above U.S. |
32 minLowest 20% above U.S. |
34 min 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 22.9%±7.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
11.6%±6.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
22.9%±7.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
27.2%±4.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Swampscott 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 | #119 of 149 in CT | #166 of 282 in MA | #76 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Maynard | Sterling School District | — | 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 | None yet |
U.S. 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.