Compare towns
Northfield vs Springfield vs Oakham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Northfield has the most people working from home (16.5%).
Springfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.9%).
Oakham has the most expensive homes ($420k 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.
| Measure | Northfield | Springfield | Oakham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,872 |
154,749Highest |
1,639Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+1.9%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-2.7% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.9±4.2 22% above MA |
33.7±0.5Lowest 16% below MA |
49±2.3Highest 23% above MA |
| Oakham and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.8%±4.1Lowest MA: 19.4% |
24.2%±0.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
18.2%±3.1 MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 25.5%±5.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
13.2%±0.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
21.4%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
| Northfield and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
20.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
40.3% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.4%±3 MA: 7.9% |
7.5%±0.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.8%±2.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Springfield and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $103,375±$10kHighest about the MA average |
$52,656±$2kLowest 49% below MA |
$102,000±$20k about the MA average |
| Northfield and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $375,800±$31k 33% below MA |
$245,000±$4kLowest 56% below MA |
$420,100±$20kHighest 25% below MA |
| Oakham and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,142±$200Lowest 35% below MA |
$1,144±$55 35% below MA |
$1,174±$81Highest 33% below MA |
| Oakham and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,594Highest 23% below MA |
$3,695Lowest 38% below MA |
$4,103 32% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49.2%±25.9 MA: 51.8% |
57.7%±3.1Highest MA: 51.8% |
27.8%±69.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Springfield and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.8% MA: 10% |
25.8%Highest MA: 10% |
4.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.1% MA: 62.5% |
49.6%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
91.6%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1962 2 yrs older than MA |
1952Lowest 12 yrs older than MA |
1979Highest 15 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 8% above MA |
20 minLowest 31% below MA |
39 minHighest 32% above MA |
| Work from home | 16.5%±10.3Highest MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±0.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
9.6%±3.8 MA: 18.6% |
| Northfield and Oakham 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 | #231 of 282 in MA | #276 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Pioneer Valley | Springfield | Quabbin |
| High school in town | Pioneer Valley Regional | Springfield Central High | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Lowest |
12.2Highest |
— |
| 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.