Compare towns

Maynard vs Winchendon 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 oldest population (median age 45.3).
Winchendon has the most affordable homes ($324k median).
Stow has the most people working from home (36.6%).

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.

MeasureMaynardWinchendonStow
People
Population
10,712Highest
10,440
7,165Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.3%
MA: +7.4%
+0.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+8.9%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
45.3±4.3Highest
13% above MA
39.6±1.9Lowest
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%
21.8%±3.9
MA: 19.4%
22.3%±4.1Highest
MA: 19.4%
Stow and Winchendon 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%
16.9%±2.7Lowest
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%
MA: 47.3%
21.4%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
75.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.5%±1.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.7%±1.4
MA: 7.9%
Winchendon and Stow 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
$75,690±$14kLowest
27% below MA
$185,809±$22kHighest
79% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$527,400±$31k
6% below MA
$323,800±$19kLowest
42% below MA
$729,600±$39kHighest
30% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,800±$148Highest
about the MA average
$1,255±$163Lowest
29% 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
$8,266
38% above MA
$3,780Lowest
37% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.9%±9.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
61.7%±17.6Highest
MA: 51.8%
59.7%±44.2
MA: 51.8%
Winchendon and Stow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.3%
MA: 10%
18.5%Highest
MA: 10%
5.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
76.6%
MA: 62.5%
85.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1981Highest
17 yrs newer than MA
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minLowest
9% above MA
32 min
11% above MA
36 minHighest
23% above MA
Work from home
22.9%±7.7
MA: 18.6%
11.2%±3.1Lowest
MA: 18.6%
36.6%±6.2Highest
MA: 18.6%
Stow 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 #269 of 282 in MA #44 of 282 in MA
School district Maynard Winchendon Nashoba
High school in town Maynard High Murdock High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.7Lowest
11.3Highest
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On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 6 photos → 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.