Compare towns

Milton vs Sturbridge vs Milton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sturbridge has the most affordable homes ($426k 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.

MeasureMiltonSturbridgeMilton
People
Population
28,587Highest
9,960Lowest
28,587Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6.5%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
41.1±1.8Lowest
about the MA average
47.2±2.6Highest
18% above MA
41.1±1.8Lowest
about the MA average
Kids under 18
25.3%±2.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
20.7%±3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
25.3%±2.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
Age 65+
16.1%±1.8Lowest
MA: 17.9%
19.8%±3Highest
MA: 17.9%
16.1%±1.8Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Sturbridge and Milton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
71.9%Highest
MA: 47.3%
49.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
71.9%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
9.7%±1.1Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.6%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
9.7%±1.1Highest
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$188,529±$15kHighest
81% above MA
$136,759±$15kLowest
32% above MA
$188,529±$15kHighest
81% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$933,200±$31kHighest
66% above MA
$425,800±$18kLowest
24% below MA
$933,200±$31kHighest
66% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,474±$281Highest
16% below MA
$1,193±$398Lowest
32% below MA
$1,474±$281Highest
16% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$9,677Highest
61% above MA
$6,520Lowest
9% above MA
$9,677Highest
61% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.7%±20.9Highest
MA: 51.8%
42%±17.7Lowest
MA: 51.8%
45.7%±20.9Highest
MA: 51.8%
Below poverty line
4.7%Highest
MA: 10%
3.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
4.7%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
86.3%Highest
MA: 62.5%
85.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1945Lowest
19 yrs older than MA
1982Highest
18 yrs newer than MA
1945Lowest
19 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minLowest
8% above MA
38 minHighest
30% above MA
31 minLowest
8% above MA
Work from home
29.7%±2.9Highest
MA: 18.6%
19.8%±4.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
29.7%±2.9Highest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #55 of 282 in MA #89 of 282 in MA #55 of 282 in MA
School district — Sturbridge · Tantasqua Milton
High school in town — Tantasqua Regional Sr High Milton High
Students per teacherat that high school —
7.7Lowest
12.4Highest
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.