Compare towns
Otis vs Monterey 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%).
Monterey has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13.9%).
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 | Monterey | Colrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,624 |
954Lowest |
1,627Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.4% MA: +7.4% |
+13.9%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-3.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51±3.2 28% above MA |
62.3±14Highest 56% above MA |
49.6±8.7Lowest 24% above MA |
| Monterey and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.1%±4.8 MA: 19.4% |
11.2%±4.2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
15.3%±4.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Colrain and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 28%±3.1Lowest MA: 17.9% |
43.5%±13.2Highest MA: 17.9% |
30.4%±4.1 MA: 17.9% |
| Monterey 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% |
64.4%Highest MA: 47.3% |
37.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±2.1 MA: 7.9% |
4.3%±4.9Highest MA: 7.9% |
2.8%±1.1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Monterey 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 |
$152,353±$89kHighest 47% above MA |
$80,673±$10kLowest 22% below MA |
| Monterey 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 |
$603,200±$57kHighest 7% above MA |
$284,300±$14kLowest 49% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,318±$924 25% below MA |
$1,762±$128Highest about the MA average |
$1,102±$77Lowest 37% below MA |
| Monterey 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 |
$2,858 52% below MA |
$4,317Highest 28% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.3%±100Highest MA: 51.8% |
43.3%±85.1Lowest 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% |
4.1% MA: 10% |
7.2%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.7%Highest MA: 62.5% |
87.4% MA: 62.5% |
86.5%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974Highest 10 yrs newer than MA |
1973 9 yrs newer than MA |
1963Lowest 1 yr older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 15% above MA |
23 minLowest 22% below MA |
34 minHighest 15% above MA |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.7 MA: 18.6% |
23.6%±16.3Highest MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±2.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Monterey and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Farmington River Reg | — | Mohawk Trail |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| 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.