Compare towns

Otis vs Maynard vs Colrain

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Otis has the most homeowners (89.7%).
Maynard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.3%).
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.

MeasureOtisMaynardColrain
People
Population
1,624Lowest
10,712Highest
1,627
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.4%
MA: +7.4%
+6.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-3.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
51±3.2Highest
28% above MA
45.3±4.3Lowest
13% above MA
49.6±8.7
24% above MA
Otis and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.1%±4.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
16.9%±4.3Highest
MA: 19.4%
15.3%±4.2
MA: 19.4%
Maynard 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%
18.2%±3.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
30.4%±4.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
Colrain and Otis 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%
64.2%Highest
MA: 47.3%
37.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±2.1
MA: 7.9%
3.5%±1.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.8%±1.1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Maynard and Otis 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
$124,067±$16kHighest
19% above MA
$80,673±$10kLowest
22% below MA
Maynard and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$396,700±$40k
29% below MA
$527,400±$31kHighest
6% below MA
$284,300±$14kLowest
49% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,318±$924
25% below MA
$1,800±$148Highest
about the MA average
$1,102±$77Lowest
37% below MA
Maynard and Otis 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
$8,266Highest
38% above MA
$4,317
28% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
63.3%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
44.9%±9.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
46%±22.8
MA: 51.8%
Otis and Colrain 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%
8.3%Highest
MA: 10%
7.2%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.7%Highest
MA: 62.5%
75%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
86.5%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
15% above MA
32 minLowest
9% above MA
34 minHighest
15% above MA
Work from home
22.3%±7.7
MA: 18.6%
22.9%±7.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
8.4%±2.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Maynard 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 — #166 of 282 in MA —
School district Farmington River Reg Maynard Mohawk Trail
High school in town None in town Maynard High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.7
—
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.