Compare towns
Otis vs Hardwick vs Tyringham vs Colrain
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hardwick has the most kids (20.5% under 18).
Tyringham has the most expensive homes ($699k median).
Colrain has the most affordable homes ($284k 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 | Otis | Hardwick | Tyringham | Colrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,624 |
2,684Highest |
494Lowest |
1,627 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-10.8%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
— | -3.9% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51±3.2 28% above MA |
45.3±9.8Lowest 13% above MA |
59.2±2.7Highest 48% above MA |
49.6±8.7 24% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 15.1%±4.8 MA: 19.4% |
20.5%±5.6Highest MA: 19.4% |
8.7%±5.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
15.3%±4.2 MA: 19.4% |
| Hardwick and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 28%±3.1 MA: 17.9% |
22.7%±5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
35.2%±8.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
30.4%±4.1 MA: 17.9% |
| Tyringham and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.2% MA: 47.3% |
30.9%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
66.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
37.3% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±2.1 MA: 7.9% |
6.2%±4.4Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.6%±2.4 MA: 7.9% |
2.8%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Hardwick and Tyringham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $108,898±$6k 5% above MA |
$75,000±$22kLowest 28% below MA |
$163,333±$28kHighest 57% above MA |
$80,673±$10k 22% below MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $396,700±$40k 29% below MA |
$346,700±$67k 38% below MA |
$699,400±$96kHighest 24% above MA |
$284,300±$14kLowest 49% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,318±$924Highest 25% below MA |
$1,108±$119 37% below MA |
$1,050±$393Lowest 40% below MA |
$1,102±$77 37% below MA |
| Otis and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,408Lowest 60% below MA |
$4,400 27% below MA |
$4,632Highest 23% below MA |
$4,317 28% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.3%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
59%±13.8 MA: 51.8% |
60%±100 MA: 51.8% |
46%±22.8Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Otis and Tyringham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 1.2%Lowest MA: 10% |
11%Highest MA: 10% |
3.6% MA: 10% |
7.2% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.7% MA: 62.5% |
68.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
89.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
86.5% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
1968 4 yrs newer than MA |
1981Highest 17 yrs newer than MA |
1963Lowest 1 yr older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 15% above MA |
31 minLowest 7% above MA |
36 minHighest 23% above MA |
34 min 15% above MA |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.7 MA: 18.6% |
8.7%±4.3 MA: 18.6% |
26.2%±8Highest MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±2.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Tyringham and Otis 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 | — | #163 of 282 in MA | — | — |
| School district | Farmington River Reg | Quabbin | — | Mohawk Trail |
| High school 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 |
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.