Compare towns

Maynard vs Townsend 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%).
Townsend has the most affordable homes ($433k 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.

MeasureMaynardTownsendIpswich
People
Population
10,712
9,100Lowest
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±4.3
13% above MA
40.9±3.3Lowest
about the MA average
47.2±3.5Highest
18% above MA
Ipswich and Maynard 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%±3.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
18.9%±2.7
MA: 19.4%
Townsend and Ipswich 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%
17.1%±2.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
21.9%±2.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
Ipswich 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
MA: 47.3%
35.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
60.2%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.1%±2.4Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.1%±1.3
MA: 7.9%
Townsend 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
$121,528±$23kLowest
17% above 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
$433,200±$22kLowest
23% below MA
$745,400±$40kHighest
33% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,800±$148Highest
about the MA average
$1,469±$313Lowest
17% 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
$6,031Lowest
about the MA average
$7,960
33% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.9%±9.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
50.6%±16.8
MA: 51.8%
51.5%±12.2Highest
MA: 51.8%
Ipswich and Townsend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.3%
MA: 10%
8.9%Highest
MA: 10%
5.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75%
MA: 62.5%
82%Highest
MA: 62.5%
74.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1976Highest
12 yrs newer than MA
1964
same as MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
9% above MA
37 minHighest
27% above MA
29 minLowest
about the MA average
Work from home
22.9%±7.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
10.5%±2.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
18.9%±3.8
MA: 18.6%
Maynard and Ipswich 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 #136 of 282 in MA #101 of 282 in MA
School district Maynard North Middlesex Ipswich
High school in town Maynard High North Middlesex Regional Ipswich High
Students per teacherat that high school
9.7
13.1Highest
9.0Lowest
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.