Compare towns

Oxford vs Springfield vs Upton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Springfield has the most renters (50.4% rent).
Upton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.1%).

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.

MeasureOxfordSpringfieldUpton
People
Population
13,385
154,749Highest
8,189Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+1.9%
MA: +7.4%
+6.1%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
42±2.8
5% above MA
33.7±0.5Lowest
16% below MA
46.4±4.8Highest
16% above MA
Upton and Oxford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.3%±3.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
24.2%±0.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
23.2%±4.5
MA: 19.4%
Springfield and Upton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16.6%±2.7
MA: 17.9%
13.2%±0.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
20.7%±4.9Highest
MA: 17.9%
Upton and Oxford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
29.6%
MA: 47.3%
20.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
53.5%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.7%±2.1
MA: 7.9%
7.5%±0.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.4%±1.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Springfield and Oxford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$103,862±$10k
about the MA average
$52,656±$2kLowest
49% below MA
$155,508±$33kHighest
50% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$374,900±$18k
33% below MA
$245,000±$4kLowest
56% below MA
$576,700±$41kHighest
about the MA average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,177±$142Highest
33% below MA
$1,144±$55
35% below MA
$948±$599Lowest
46% below MA
Oxford and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,622
23% below MA
$3,695Lowest
38% below MA
$8,376Highest
40% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.8%±15.9Highest
MA: 51.8%
57.7%±3.1
MA: 51.8%
52.8%±31Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Oxford and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.7%
MA: 10%
25.8%Highest
MA: 10%
3.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.8%
MA: 62.5%
49.6%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
86.7%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
8 yrs newer than MA
1952Lowest
12 yrs older than MA
1981Highest
17 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
about the MA average
20 minLowest
31% below MA
35 minHighest
22% above MA
Work from home
16.4%±4.3
MA: 18.6%
8.4%±0.9Lowest
MA: 18.6%
22.8%±5.3Highest
MA: 18.6%
Upton and Oxford 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 #245 of 282 in MA #276 of 282 in MA #46 of 282 in MA
School district Oxford Springfield Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical · Mendon-Upton
High school in town Oxford High Springfield Central High Blackstone Valley
Students per teacherat that high school
10.3Lowest
12.2Highest
11.2
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.