What stands out worked out from the figures below

Providence has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4%).

Princetown has the most expensive homes ($316k 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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Providence	Princetown
People
Population	1,971Highest	1,860Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+4%Highest NY: +4.2%	-4.3%Lowest NY: +4.2%
Median age	48.9±5.2Highest 23% above NY	47.9±4.7Lowest 20% above NY
	Providence and Princetown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	15.7%±3.4 NY: 20.5%	15.7%±4.2 NY: 20.5%
Age 65+	18%±3.2Lowest NY: 17.9%	23.6%±3.1Highest NY: 17.9%
	Princetown and Providence are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	28.9%Lowest NY: 40.2%	29%Highest NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	6.8%±2.9Highest NY: 7%	2.8%±2.3Lowest NY: 7%
	Providence and Princetown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$92,574±$16kLowest 8% above NY	$98,438±$21kHighest 14% above NY
	Princetown and Providence are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$270,500±$25kLowest 36% below NY	$315,700±$39kHighest 26% below NY
	Princetown and Providence are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,449±$383Highest 11% below NY	$1,354±$91Lowest 16% below NY
	Providence and Princetown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$3,275Lowest 50% below NY	$5,750Highest 13% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	27.9%±50.8Lowest NY: 52.1%	67.6%±58.5Highest NY: 52.1%
	Princetown and Providence are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	11.1%Highest NY: 14%	4.2%Lowest NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	94.7%Highest NY: 54.3%	91.7%Lowest NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1993Highest 34 yrs newer than NY	1971Lowest 12 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	32 minLowest about the NY average	33 minHighest about the NY average
Work from home	5.7%±2.7Lowest NY: 14.9%	6.2%±4Highest NY: 14.9%
	Princetown and Providence are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	None yet	None yet

NY 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.