Compare towns
Pepperell vs Springfield vs Worcester vs Pepperell
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 homeowners (84.3%).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Worcester has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.1%).
Pepperell has the oldest population (median age 46.4).
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 | Springfield | Worcester | Pepperell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 11,663 |
154,749 |
207,055Highest |
1,971Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9% MA: +7.4% |
+1.9% MA: +7.4% |
+14.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-4.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.4±3.3 6% above MA |
33.7±0.5Lowest 16% below MA |
33.9±0.5 15% below MA |
46.4±6.3Highest 16% above MA |
| Pepperell and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.1%±3.3 MA: 19.4% |
24.2%±0.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
19.6%±0.8 MA: 19.4% |
15.7%±5.2Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Springfield and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.2%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
13.2%±0.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
13.3%±0.6 MA: 17.9% |
18.7%±3.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Pepperell and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 43.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
20.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
35.2% MA: 47.3% |
38.8% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.3 MA: 7.9% |
7.5%±0.5 MA: 7.9% |
14.1%±0.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.9%±2.4Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $124,073±$12kHighest 19% above MA |
$52,656±$2kLowest 49% below MA |
$70,102±$2k 33% below MA |
$76,726±$17k 26% below MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $482,100±$14kHighest 14% below MA |
$245,000±$4kLowest 56% below MA |
$374,400±$7k 33% below MA |
$457,300±$40k 19% below MA |
| Pepperell and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,295±$238 27% below MA |
$1,144±$55 35% below MA |
$1,487±$38Highest 16% below MA |
$1,139±$301Lowest 35% below MA |
| Worcester and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,698 12% above MA |
$3,695Lowest 38% below MA |
$4,733 21% below MA |
$6,871Highest 15% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.1%±16.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
57.7%±3.1Highest MA: 51.8% |
54.2%±2.9 MA: 51.8% |
56.6%±20.7 MA: 51.8% |
| Springfield and Pepperell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8%Lowest MA: 10% |
25.8%Highest MA: 10% |
19.6% MA: 10% |
10.9% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
49.6% MA: 62.5% |
42.8%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
49.2% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 17 yrs newer than MA |
1952 12 yrs older than MA |
1951Lowest 13 yrs older than MA |
1970 6 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 16% above MA |
20 minLowest 31% below MA |
24 min 17% below MA |
34 minHighest 18% above MA |
| Work from home | 18.1%±2.7Highest MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±0.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
11.5%±1 MA: 18.6% |
13.5%±4.9 MA: 18.6% |
| Pepperell and Pepperell 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 | #276 of 282 in MA | #266 of 282 in MA | #153 of 282 in MA |
| School district | North Middlesex | Springfield | Ma Academy for Math and Science · Worcester | — |
| High school in town | None in town | Springfield Central High | South High Community | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.2Lowest |
14.6Highest |
— |
| 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.