Compare towns

Middlefield vs Peru vs Sutton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Middlefield has the oldest population (median age 56.9).
Peru has the most affordable homes ($267k median).
Sutton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.4%).

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.

MeasureMiddlefieldPeruSutton
People
Population
352Lowest
630
9,452Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-26.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
-3.9%
MA: +7.4%
+4.4%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
56.9±3.7Highest
42% above MA
52.6±4.8
32% above MA
44.3±2.5Lowest
11% above MA
Middlefield and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
4.5%±9.5Lowest
MA: 19.4%
16.3%±3.5
MA: 19.4%
19.6%±3.3Highest
MA: 19.4%
Sutton and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.7%±8.5
MA: 17.9%
29.7%±6.9Highest
MA: 17.9%
18.8%±3.2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Peru and Middlefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31.8%
MA: 47.3%
28%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
52.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±4.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3.2%±2
MA: 7.9%
3.9%±1.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
Sutton and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$103,750±$23k
about the MA average
$90,750±$18kLowest
13% below MA
$147,125±$25kHighest
42% above MA
Sutton and Middlefield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$332,800±$48k
41% below MA
$267,400±$15kLowest
52% below MA
$523,100±$47kHighest
7% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,625±$1kHighest
49% above MA
—
$1,190±$401Lowest
32% below MA
Middlefield and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,926
18% below MA
$3,805Lowest
36% below MA
$6,763Highest
13% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
47.5%±24.4
MA: 51.8%
Middlefield and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.2%Highest
MA: 10%
3.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
5.8%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.1%
MA: 62.5%
98.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
89.7%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
7 yrs newer than MA
1983Highest
19 yrs newer than MA
1981
17 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
about the MA average
31 minHighest
7% above MA
30 minLowest
about the MA average
Work from home
13.2%±9.2
MA: 18.6%
10.3%±4.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
22.7%±4.1Highest
MA: 18.6%
Sutton and Middlefield 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 — — #105 of 282 in MA
School district — — Sutton
High school in town — — Sutton High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
12.6
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.