Compare towns

Poland vs Rye vs Auburn

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Poland has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.9%).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Auburn has the most renters (40.9% rent).

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.

MeasurePolandRyeAuburn
People
Population
5,954
5,611Lowest
24,602Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
44.2±9.4
14% above U.S.
55.1±3Highest
42% above U.S.
41.4±2.7Lowest
6% above U.S.
Rye and Poland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.4%±5.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.2%±4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.4%±2.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
17.8%±4.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
31.7%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.8%±2
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
23.8%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
61.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
27.8%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±2.8
U.S.: 6.4%
2.2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.6%±1.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Auburn and Poland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$85,557±$23k
6% above U.S.
$140,655±$39kHighest
74% above U.S.
$66,647±$5kLowest
17% below U.S.
Rye and Poland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$283,600±$44k
15% below U.S.
$1,028,100±$89kHighest
209% above U.S.
$282,000±$12kLowest
15% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,198±$128
15% below U.S.
$1,781±$156Highest
26% above U.S.
$1,041±$74Lowest
26% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,774Lowest
11% below U.S.
$7,519Highest
141% above U.S.
$3,687
18% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
61.6%±30.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.3%±16.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
53.4%±7.4
U.S.: 51.1%
Poland and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
13.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
85.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
59.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1972
8 yrs older than U.S.
1954Lowest
26 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
6% above U.S.
29 minHighest
9% above U.S.
22 minLowest
18% below U.S.
Work from home
21.9%±10.6
U.S.: 15.1%
30.9%±7.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.5%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Rye and Poland 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 #81 of 133 in ME #2 of 120 in NH #110 of 133 in ME
School district RSU 16 Rye School District Auburn Public Schools
High school in town Poland Regional H S None in town Edward Little High School
Students per teacherat that high school
12.2Lowest
—
13.1Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.