Compare towns
Pepperell vs Acton vs Groton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Pepperell has the most affordable homes ($482k median).
Acton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.6%).
Groton has the most kids (28.3% under 18).
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 | Pepperell | Acton | Groton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 11,663 |
24,155Highest |
11,390Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+9.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+6.3% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.4±3.3 6% above MA |
44.5±0.8Highest 11% above MA |
41.4±2.7Lowest 4% above MA |
| Acton and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.1%±3.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
23.2%±2.5 MA: 19.4% |
28.3%±4.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Groton and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.2%±2.3Highest MA: 17.9% |
17.6%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
17.3%±2.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Pepperell and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 43.8%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
79.5%Highest MA: 47.3% |
70.1% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.3Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.9%±1.2Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1.9 MA: 7.9% |
| Pepperell and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $124,073±$12kLowest 19% above MA |
$158,230±$14k 52% above MA |
$192,958±$27kHighest 86% above MA |
| Groton and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $482,100±$14kLowest 14% below MA |
$807,300±$20kHighest 44% above MA |
$743,400±$46k 32% above MA |
| Acton and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,295±$238Lowest 27% below MA |
$1,986±$155Highest 13% above MA |
$1,458±$335 17% below MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,698Lowest 12% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.1%±16.1 MA: 51.8% |
47.7%±11.3Highest MA: 51.8% |
43.8%±17Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Acton and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8%Highest MA: 10% |
3.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.8% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.3% MA: 62.5% |
74.9%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
88.8%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 17 yrs newer than MA |
1974Lowest 10 yrs newer than MA |
1988Highest 24 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 16% above MA |
35 minHighest 19% above MA |
32 minLowest 11% above MA |
| Work from home | 18.1%±2.7Lowest MA: 18.6% |
35.9%±4.6Highest MA: 18.6% |
27.5%±5.8 MA: 18.6% |
| Acton and Groton 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 | #153 of 282 in MA | #13 of 282 in MA | #39 of 282 in MA |
| School district | North Middlesex | Acton-Boxborough | Groton-Dunstable |
| High school in town | None in town | Acton-Boxborough Regional High | Groton Dunstable Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 13.5Lowest |
13.7Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.