Compare towns

Peru vs Dalton vs Worthington

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Peru has the most affordable homes ($267k median).
Dalton has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Worthington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).

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.

MeasurePeruDaltonWorthington
People
Population
630Lowest
6,256Highest
1,021
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.9%
MA: +7.4%
-6.3%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+3.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
52.6±4.8
32% above MA
49.7±5.8Lowest
24% above MA
61.6±3.6Highest
54% above MA
Kids under 18
16.3%±3.5
MA: 19.4%
20.6%±4.7Highest
MA: 19.4%
12.8%±2.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Dalton and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
29.7%±6.9
MA: 17.9%
27.9%±5.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
39.5%±5.3Highest
MA: 17.9%
Worthington and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
44.3%
MA: 47.3%
46.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.2%±2Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.3%±1.6
MA: 7.9%
2.1%±1.4Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Peru and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$90,750±$18k
13% below MA
$79,438±$8kLowest
24% below MA
$91,667±$17kHighest
12% below MA
Worthington and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$267,400±$15kLowest
52% below MA
$295,700±$26k
47% below MA
$380,400±$26kHighest
32% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$872±$70Highest
51% below MA
$633±$220Lowest
64% below MA
Dalton and Worthington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,805Lowest
36% below MA
$4,276
29% below MA
$5,443Highest
9% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
41.2%±19
MA: 51.8%
62.5%±63Highest
MA: 51.8%
Worthington and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
7.4%Highest
MA: 10%
4.5%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
98.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
70.7%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
93.7%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
19 yrs newer than MA
1957Lowest
7 yrs older than MA
1958
6 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
7% above MA
22 minLowest
24% below MA
41 minHighest
41% above MA
Work from home
10.3%±4.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
12.5%±7.1
MA: 18.6%
28.2%±12.9Highest
MA: 18.6%
Worthington and Dalton 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 — #192 of 282 in MA —
School district — Central Berkshire Worthington
High school in town — Wahconah Regional High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.9
—
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.