Compare towns
Montgomery vs Reading vs Worcester vs Lowell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Montgomery has the most renters (19.3% rent).
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Worcester has the shortest commute (29 min average).
Lowell has the most kids (30.7% under 18).
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 | Montgomery | Reading | Worcester | Lowell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,047 |
699Lowest |
831 |
1,070Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.4% VT: +2.8% |
+3.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+0.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.5±11.3Highest 19% above VT |
51.1±7.6 19% above VT |
47±2.7 9% above VT |
32.9±6.5Lowest 24% below VT |
| Montgomery and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.5%±4.4 VT: 17.9% |
18.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
30.7%±6.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Age 65+ | 33.9%±8.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
28.2%±3.3 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
12.3%±4.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Montgomery and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 52.8% VT: 43.8% |
46% VT: 43.8% |
53%Highest VT: 43.8% |
19.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±3.2Lowest VT: 7% |
3.1%±2.5 VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $53,289±$24kLowest 34% below VT |
$85,000±$19kHighest 5% above VT |
$73,833±$18k 9% below VT |
$57,404±$15k 29% below VT |
| Reading and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $323,200±$45k about the VT average |
$377,200±$72kHighest 19% above VT |
$271,100±$27k 14% below VT |
$183,400±$33kLowest 42% below VT |
| Reading and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $868±$209Lowest 30% below VT |
$1,100±$331Highest 11% below VT |
$1,023±$136 17% below VT |
$945±$46 23% below VT |
| Reading and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,326 14% below VT |
$5,754Highest 14% above VT |
$4,421 12% below VT |
$2,810Lowest 44% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 76.6%±68Highest VT: 48.4% |
63.3%±31.7 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
26.3%±92.9 VT: 48.4% |
| Montgomery and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 15.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.4% VT: 10.1% |
5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
9.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
84.9% VT: 73.2% |
85.9% VT: 73.2% |
94.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
1976 same as VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 37 min 58% above VT |
33 min 41% above VT |
29 minLowest 22% above VT |
55 minHighest 135% above VT |
| Work from home | 16%±5.9 VT: 16.9% |
22.9%±10.6 VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
7.5%±2.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Worcester and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Lowell School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
VT 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.