Compare towns

Plainfield vs Pittsfield vs Worcester

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Plainfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
Pittsfield has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k 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.

MeasurePlainfieldPittsfieldWorcester
People
Population
1,314Highest
391Lowest
831
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-7.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-3.4%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
48.1±5.5
12% above VT
53.8±3.5Highest
25% above VT
47±2.7Lowest
9% above VT
Pittsfield and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.3%±4.7Highest
VT: 17.9%
13.6%±8.4
VT: 17.9%
12.8%±3.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Plainfield and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±3.5
VT: 21.4%
30.4%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.5%±2.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Pittsfield and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.2%
VT: 43.8%
45.4%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
53%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.1%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±3.5
VT: 7%
6.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
Worcester and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$69,250±$31k
15% below VT
$65,852±$12kLowest
19% below VT
$73,833±$18kHighest
9% below VT
Worcester and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$318,400±$34kHighest
about the VT average
$313,300±$73k
about the VT average
$271,100±$27kLowest
14% below VT
Plainfield and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,153±$103Highest
7% below VT
$1,035±$140
16% below VT
$1,023±$136Lowest
17% below VT
Plainfield and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,806
5% below VT
$5,181Highest
about the VT average
$4,421Lowest
12% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
73.2%±53.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
35.6%±43
VT: 48.4%
25.5%±37Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Plainfield and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.4%
VT: 10.1%
5.9%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.9%
VT: 73.2%
76.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
85.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1955Lowest
21 yrs older than VT
1977Highest
1 yr newer than VT
1976
same as VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 min
about the VT average
19 minLowest
18% below VT
29 minHighest
22% above VT
Work from home
16.4%±4.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
28.1%±24.1Highest
VT: 16.9%
23.6%±4.8
VT: 16.9%
Pittsfield and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town — — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

VT 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.