Compare towns
Putnam vs Worcester vs Benson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Putnam has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Worcester has grown the fastest since 2010 (-3.4%).
Benson has the most affordable homes ($242k 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.
| Measure | Putnam | Worcester | Benson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 540Lowest |
831Highest |
784 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -6.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-7.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 53.6±6.4Highest 38% above U.S. |
47±2.7Lowest 21% above U.S. |
51.9±9.4 33% above U.S. |
| Putnam and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17.4%±5.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
16.5%±5.2 U.S.: 22% |
| Putnam and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 35.6%±3.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.9%±4.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 31.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
53%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
32.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.9%±4.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
7%±5.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Benson and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $92,344±$14kHighest 14% above U.S. |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below U.S. |
$78,625±$8k about the U.S. average |
| Putnam and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $266,200±$48k 20% below U.S. |
$271,100±$27kHighest 19% below U.S. |
$242,000±$26kLowest 27% below U.S. |
| Worcester and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,023±$136Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,113±$170Highest 21% below U.S. |
| Benson and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,674Lowest 18% above U.S. |
$4,421Highest 42% above U.S. |
$4,125 32% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
25.5%±37 U.S.: 51.1% |
53.4%±35.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Benson and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
80.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1976Highest 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 19% below U.S. |
29 min 9% above U.S. |
32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 8.6%±5.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
23.6%±4.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.6%±5.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Worcester and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.